Dale Steyn’s inclusion in first Test against India unlikely: Proteas coach

CAPE TOWN: Dale Steyn’s might have to wait longer for his Test comeback as South Africa head coach Ottis Gibson has hinted it would be a risk to include the former world’s No. 1 fast bowler in the series against India.

"Dale Steyn is fit again. But I don't know just yet whether we will see him this week," ESPNcricinfo quoted Gibson, as saying

The 34-year-old has been out of Test action since injuring his shoulder during a series against Australia in Perth in November 2016.

Gibson had earlier said that everybody in his squad was fit but the inclusion of Steyn in Playing XI comes under doubt due to stiff competition from other five quicks in the squad- Kagiso Rabada, Vernon Philander, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris and Andile Phehlukwayo.

"I don't think if we were to pick a three-man seam attack plus a spinner that you would want to put him in that three-man attack, in case something happens and that leaves the team vulnerable if he can't finish the game. That's not to say that he won't finish the game, but you don't want to take that risk in the first game of the summer," Gibson said.

The head coach said that the team would come up with best combination in the first Test to win it and then would think about the next one.

The first Test between South Africa and India will start in Cape Town on January 5.