Dale Steyn (left) and Vernon Philander suffered injuries to the shoulder and ankle respectively © Getty Images
South Africa will continue to play without the services of Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander in the upcoming One-Day International (ODI) series against England, with the duo getting ruled out due to injury concerns. Steyn had suffered a shoulder injury during the first Test against England at Durban, and is being rested in order to get him fit for the upcoming ICC World T20 2016. Philander, on the other hand, had sustained an ankle injury during a practice session during the tour of India that ensured that he did not get to feature in the four-match Basil D’Oliveira trophy at all. According to the latest reports, Kyle Abbott will miss the first ODI at Bloemfontein that will take place on February 3. READ: South Africa thrash England by 280 runs in 4th Test at Centurion
Steyn’s fitness has been under cloud for a long time now, with rumours of his career coming to a close soon doing the rounds in recent times. Steyn however, ruled out all such talks, and stated that he still is one of the fittest players in the squad. The South African pace spearhead clarified that his focus would be on the World T20, due to which he would not be rushing for the upcoming ODI series. Philander, on the other hand, is expected to take at least three weeks to recover from the injury, which he sustained ahead of the first Test against India at Mohali. The South African bowling attack has been hit by a string of injuries in recent times, with Steyn and Philander’s absence hurting South Africa as they lost the Test series 1-2 to England.
Proteas fast bowler Dale Steyn has been ruled out of the upcoming ODI series with England as he continues to recover from a shoulder injury.
— SuperSport Blitz (@SuperSportBlitz) January 26, 2016
The ruling out of Steyn and Philander brings the limelight back to the duo of Kagiso Rabada and Morne Morkel, who finished on the first and third spot in the leading wicket-takers list in the recently-concluded Test series. Rabada recorded match figures of 13 for 144 in the final Test at Centurion as South Africa recorded a 280-run consolation win, though they had to contend with a 1-2 series loss.