IND vs SA | Dale Steyn not ready, Chris Morris still in fray, says Cricket South Africa

IND vs SA | Dale Steyn not ready, Chris Morris still in fray, says Cricket South Africa

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Cricket South Africa acting director Corrie van Zyl has said Dale Steyn was not medically ready to be considered for selection for the T20I series on the tour of India. Meanwhile, the South African board also confirmed that they have opened talks to renew Chris Morris’ national contract.

The 36-year-old Steyn, who recently retired from the Test format, was not included in the 15-man squad led by Quinton de Kock. This is despite the speedster declaring himself available for the white-ball matches of the tour.

However, van Zyl confirmed on Wednesday that the decision was made on medical grounds.

"Steyn is not yet medically ready and our information makes that very clear," van Zyl told Sport24, reported Cricbuzz.

Steyn had picked up a shoulder injury during his brief time at the 2019 IPL with Royal Challengers. Unable to recover from the injury, he was sidelined for the recently concluded World Cup as well. 

Meanwhile, South Africa have two other players on the injury table. Despite battling hamstring and back niggles respectively, Vernon Philander and Theunis de Bruyn have been named in the squads for the India tour. Of course, the board expects them to be fit in time.

"Both are on track, but they will have to play one match before the tour to prove that they are fully fit," van Zyl said.

All-rounder Chris Morris, on the other hand, had declared himself unavailable for selection via social media. Morris is yet to be handed a new national contract, despite an impressive showing with the ball in the 2019 World Cup (13 wickets at 26.23). However, the board are on the matter, willing to resolve any confusions.

"It is well known that Chris' national contract was not renewed beyond the World Cup. Then, following his superb performance at the World Cup, negotiations began on awarding him a new national contract but by then he had already made other commitments. It absolutely does not mean that the door is closed, and we will start negotiations on a new contract again after the tour. He still wants to play cricket for South Africa," van Zyl added.

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