Dale Steyn to Miss Opening ICC Cricket World Cup Match

Standard Bank Proteas fast bowler, Dale Steyn, is unavailable for selection for the opening ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup match against England at The Oval on Thursday.

Steyn, who is recovering from a right shoulder injury, has not made a satisfactory recovery to feature in the key opening match of the tournament.

Proteas head coach, Ottis Gibson, confirmed the decision on Tuesday afternoon: “He is not quite ready, not far away but he is not ready yet. We think with a six-week tournament there is no real need to force the issue right now. So he won’t be available for the first match. 

“We know that he is close and is getting closer every day,” he explained. “We will give him as much time as we can for him to get ready. We are hoping that he will be ready on Sunday against Bangladesh, but if not, then against India.” 

The remainder of the squad has been given a clean bill of health.

The match is scheduled to start at 10h30 (11h30 SAST) local time.

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