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Wanderers Test: Steyn's participation still uncertain, Philander out

January 07, 2016 09:17 IST

Dale Steyn of South Africa looks on

IMAGE: Dale Steyn of South Africa looks on during a training session in Durban. Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty Images

South African strike bowler Dale Steyn could miss next week's third Test against England as he has yet to recover from a shoulder problem while fellow paceman Vernon Philander has been ruled out of the series, Cricket South Africa said.

Steyn missed the second Test, which ended in a draw in Cape Town on Wednesday, after suffering a shoulder spasm during the first Test in Durban, where he bowled only 22 balls in the second innings.

While a scan in Durban showed no muscle damage, Steyn is seeking a second opinion from another specialist ahead of a fitness test when the squad meets up again in Johannesburg on Monday.

Steyn suffered a groin strain in November and missed three of the four Tests in India and his latest injury has been blamed on a heavy bowling workload so soon after the layoff.

Philander has been sidelined since suffering ankle ligament damage in India during a warm-up football drill.

Kyle Abbott, who also missed the second Test with a hamstring strain, has been declared fit for the next encounter against England.

The third Test will take place at the Wanderers from Jan. 14-18.

Source: REUTERS
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