South Africa will give Dale Steyn a fitness test before the start of play on day four in Durban after an unbeaten half-century from Joe Root batted England into a position of dominance in the first Test.
Steyn, the world’s No 1 Test bowler, underwent a scan on an injured right shoulder after twice leaving the field on the third day. While scans proved inconclusive there are fears for the 32-year-old’s chances of bowling again in this match or even in the second Test in Cape Town that starts on 2 January.
England are now in the hunt for a 1-0 lead before that second Test, with Root set to resume on Tuesday morning on 60 not out alongside James Taylor on 24. The touring side’s lead has swelled to 261 after they reached 172 for three at stumps.
On Steyn’s injury, which could prove pivotal in the series, the South Africa team manager, Dr Mohammed Moosajee, said: “We will probably trial his bowling in the warm-up. There was no tears to any of the muscles or tendons or ligaments so we are treating it as a shoulder spasm or stiffness at the moment.
“If he gets through that we will probably allow him to bowl tomorrow. Further assessment will be made after the Test match regarding Cape Town.”
Steyn’s injury was not the only headache for South Africa on the third day, with suggestions of ball-tampering circulating after the match officials took the unusual step of changing the ball only 26 overs into England’s innings.
Moosajee played down that theory, saying he had been informed by the match referee, Ranjan Madugalle, that the switch was due to a six struck by the England opener Alex Hales that damaged the ball. He said: “I had a chat with match referees and umpires as to why the ball was changed. The explanation I was given was that when the ball was hit to the boundary when Hales hit it for six it hit the LED screen on the advertising board and a chunk of the ball came out.
“Because there was unnatural wear and tear they have the right to change the ball. We were not very impressed but we have to take their decision.” An ICC spokesman later confirmed no warning was issued to the South African captain, Hashim Amla.
The England all-rounder Moeen Ali, who claimed four for 69 as South Africa were bowled out for 214, says his side are targeting a lead of at least 350 runs before they look to turn the screw in the fourth. He said: “It has been a great day, probably the best out of the three, so far and we’re very happy. There is a long way to go. We have to keep playing welland hopefully we’ll win the game.
“We’re pretty calm about things. We’ll need at least a lead of 350 and then try and win the game.”
On Root, who profited from one of three dropped catches by South Africa, Moeen added: “We’re definitely in awe of Joe. When he goes in to bat, once he’s got his eye in, which he does pretty quickly, then we don’t worry too much as a batting unit.
“We know he is a run-getter and along with James Taylor they can score quickly which is good for the team and this is a good situation to be in.”
