World Cup 2019: Cricket South Africa keeping a keen eye on Dale Steyn's recovery

Dale Steyn injuring his shoulder during the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) has increased the problems for South Africa ahead of the World Cup. He played only two matches for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) after being signed as Nathan Coulter-Nile’s replacement and then was ruled out due to inflammation in his shoulder. But the pacer looked at his best during these outings and has seen a specialist in Cape Town to recover from the injury soon.

Steyn has been picked in the World Cup squad and Cricket South Africa (CSA) is keeping a keen eye on his recovery. All the selected players will be meeting for a pre-World Cup training camp and this is where they will see how the fast bowler pulls up. The selectors have time until May 23 to name a replacement in case Steyn doesn’t get fully fit.

As it stands, we are aware that Dale Steyn has seen the shoulder specialist since he got back from India. But at the moment we’re just waiting for our medical team to keep us updated in terms of his progress. He’s still due to meet up with the team for camp on the 12th, and as the selection panel, we’ll be guided by the medical team, and then we’ll take it from there,” National Selection Panel convener Linda Zondi said while speaking to ESPNCricinfo.

SA coach Ottis Gibson to be part of the decision making

Ottis Gibson, the South Africa coach, will be looking after Dale Steyn’s recovery from shoulder injury closely during the camp and will also be part of the decision making over the same. Gibson himself was the bowler during his playing days and he will be testing the 35-year-old’s shoulder in the nets.

“Ottis is also a specialist from the bowling point of view, so he will definitely take Dale for a run in the nets to see how he’s doing with his shoulder and how far he might have to go. We still have enough time before the 23rd of May to decide whether we need to change the team or not. But for now, that’s where we are,” Zondi further added.

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