Dale Steyn ruled out of Bangalore Test
South Africa suffered a major setback to its comeback plans in the Freedom Series against India after pace spearhead Dale Steyn has been ruled out of the Bangalore Test starting Saturday at the Chinnaswamy stadium.
Steyn, who had suffered a groin injury in the first Test at Mohali, had missed the latter half of the Test. The pacer showed signs of returning for the second Test after he bowled at the nets at the practice sessions on Wednesday but has been advised against playing after the medical examination today. The loss adds to South Africa's bowling woes as pacer Vernon Philander was ruled out following a freak injury in a warm-up football game.
Kyle Abbott, who has flown in from South Africa, will likely replace Steyn in the line-up, said the visitors' Test captain Hashim Amla in the press conference, reported cricbuzz.
The only silver lining for the side has been the return if all-rounder JP Duminy, who has been cleared to play in the Test after recovering from the finger injury sustained in the ODI series. Duminy had missed the last two ODIs after playing a crucial role in the visitors' T20 series win.
South Africa trail the four-test series 0-1.
