Share

Steyn to miss first two ODIs

Dubai - Paceman Dale Steyn will miss the first two of the five-match one-day series against Pakistan to rest his body, South African team management said on Sunday.

The 30-year-old Steyn featured in the second Test, which South Africa won by an innings and 92 runs on Saturday, despite suffering from a hamstring injury three days before the match.

He showed no signs of discomfort and took four wickets in the match but the team management decided to rest Steyn in the first two matches in Sharjah (October 30) and in Dubai (November 1).

"Steyn is being rested for the first two one-days, and will return back to South Africa before joining up with the squad for the remainder of the series as well as the T20 series," said team manager Mohammed Moosajee.

Steyn will be available for the third match in Abu Dhabi on November 6, the fourth match (also in Abu Dhabi on November 8) and the fifth match in Sharjah (November 11).

Star batsman Hashim Amla, who missed the second Test after returning home to attend the birth of his child, is also doubtful for the first one-day.

"Colin Ingram has been placed on stand-by for Amla, who is still in South Africa awaiting the birth of his second child. Ingram will join up with the squad on Monday morning," said Moosajee.

Moosajee also added that former coach Gary Kirsten will join to help the one-day squad with their batting, confirming that he will spend five days between the second and third one-days in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

"Gary is a World Cup-winning coach and it would be naive for us not to tap into his wisdom. We have a crop of young batsmen in the squad we feel will gain a lot of insight from his vast batting experience and knowledge," said Moosajee of Kirsten, who guided India to World Cup glory in 2011.

Kirsten then took over as South Africa coach in June 2011 but left the job in June this year.

"We are going into an important phase leading up to the World Cup (2015) so it will be important for us to tap into as many resources available to us as possible," said Moosajee.

South Africa have never won a World Cup since being re-admitted to international cricket in 1991 after a 21-year exile because of the government's apartheid policy.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1473 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2251 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE