Perth: The touring South African team has got a major setback on the second day of the WACA Test, as their leading pace bowler, Dale Steyn, has been ruled out of the Commonwealth Bank test series due to shoulder injury.
In lieu of this, Steyn has been withdrawn from the current Test series. Steyn, reckoned as one of the all time best pace bowlers, complained of pain in his shoulder during the first session on day two of the opening Test match against Australia at the WACA ground, and was taken to hospital for further investigations. The doctors at the hospital confirmed the injury.
Speaking about the injury, Proteas team manager, Dr Mohammed Moosajee said, “Dale pulled up while bowling shortly before lunch complaining of severe pain to his right shoulder. He was taken to the hospital for preliminary scans which confirmed a new fracture of the bone in the shoulder joint.”
About his participation in the test match and the series further, he added, “He will take no further part in the match (he will bat if absolutely necessary) and the series, and will return to South Africa to see a shoulder specialist who will advise on an appropriate plan of action. An injury of this nature is rare and will in all likelihood require surgery but that will only be confirmed once we receive an opinion from the specialist.”
The replacement for the pace bowler is still to be announced.