The South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn is now a serious doubt to be fit for the second Test with England in Cape Town after the injury suffered to his right shoulder did not improve overnight.
Steyn twice pulled out of bowling on day three of the ongoing first Test in Durban after reporting pain in the joint, before undergoing a scan during the evening session.
The results proved inconclusive, with South Africa hoping their attack spearhead, the No1-ranked bowler in Test cricket, would be able to bowl in practice before the fourth day.
The team manager, Dr Mohammed Moosajee, speaking to host broadcasters SuperSport before the start of play, confirmed Steyn remained impeded by the injury and was “unlikely” to bowl again in the match.
But a team spokesperson later confirmed Steyn was in fact ruled out of bowling again during England’s innings. On the injury itself, Moosajee said: “Dale developed a spasm or stiffness in his shoulder, partly because he’d just come back from an injury. After bowling 25 overs in the first innings he felt discomfort.
“The scans have shown there’s no tear, no strain, so we’re treating it very much as stiffness. He’s still in pain this morning and it’s unlikely he’ll bowl today. We’ll monitor him throughout the Test and we’ll have to make a call regarding his availability come Cape Town.”
The 32-year-old had only just returned to bowling after seven weeks out with a groin injury suffered during South Africa’s 3-0 defeat in India last month. The second Test begins on 2 January, just three days after the scheduled finish of the ongoing series opener in Durban.
