Dale Steyn has been handled carefully since picking up another injury against England in December © Gallo Images
Dale Steyn will make a return to competitive cricket after almost two months out of action on Saturday in a club game in Cape Town. Steyn will play for Western Province Cricket Club in the first day of a two-day fixture against St Augustines in order to determine his readiness for next month’s three T20s against Australia and the World T20.
Steyn has been named in South Africa’s squad for the tournament despite being sidelined with a shoulder injury since pulling up during the first Test against England in December and playing just two matches since November. Steyn missed six of South Africa’s eight summer Tests – first with a groin injury he sustained in India and then the shoulder injury on comeback in Durban – and all the limited-overs matches against England.
South Africa’s team management took extra care not to rush him back from injury fearing it would worsen their chances of having him for the World T20. Steyn returned to bowling last week and joined the squad for a team bonding session which involved shark cage diving and also a net session at Newlands. T20 captain Faf du Plessis said Steyn, “looks fully fit,” but a call could only be taken on whether he will travel to the tournament if he gets through the matches against Australia.
Should Steyn not be available for the World T20, South Africa have put a bowler on standby. Although the selectors have not revealed who that is, Morne Morkel, who was left out the squad, is the likeliest candidate.
Firdose Moonda is ESPNcricinfo’s South Africa correspondent
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Source: ESPN Crickinfo