SOUTH AFRICA TOUR OF SRI LANKA

Dale Steyn picked for Sri Lanka Tests

by Tristan Holme • Last updated on

Steyn injured his heel during the Cape Town versus India, earlier in the year © Getty

South Africa's faith in Dale Steyn to return to peak fitness and form in international cricket was restated on Monday (June 11) when the fast bowler was named in the 15-man Test squad for next month's tour of Sri Lanka. Steyn's last appearance for the Proteas came in the first Test against India at Newlands at the start of the year, which he was unable to complete when he limped out of the second innings with a heel injury.

At the time, specialists suggested that the fast bowler could return in just six weeks. Instead Steyn, who turns 35 later this month, spent nearly five months recuperating before finally playing a competitive match for Hampshire last week. His rustiness showed as he took 1 for 80 in a one-day match against Somerset, but he went on to prove his fitness over the weekend when he bowled 26 overs in the first innings of Hampshire's ongoing county match against Surrey at the Rose Bowl.

That was enough for the selectors to feel comfortable about picking Steyn as one of four fast bowlers in the squad that plays a two-Test series in Sri Lanka on July 12. Cricket South Africa had already shown their faith in Steyn by handing him a national contract for the next year, and with Morne Morkel having retired from international cricket, a place opened up in South Africa's attack.

"It is a very welcome news to have Dale back in our pack of world-class seamers, particularly in view of the retirement of Morne Morkel," selection convenor Linda Zondi said. "Kagiso Rabada has also made a complete recovery from the injury concerns he had at the end of the Australia Test series."

Of course, South Africa are unlikely to require all four fast bowlers, so it remains to be seen whether Steyn will return to the playing XI. After a home summer that was dedicated to the pacemen, South Africa face their first Test series on the subcontinent since their tour of India in 2015. They have reacted by picking no fewer than three spinners, with left-arm wrist spinner Tabraiz Shamsi and legspinner Shaun von Berg providing back-up to Keshav Maharaj.

While Shamsi has played one Test - the day-night encounter in Australia in 2016 - von Berg could make his international debut at the age of 31 after enjoying a successful, title-winning season with the Titans. Von Berg finished second on the Sunfoil Series wicket-taking list, behind offspinner Simon Harmer, who remains unavailable after he signed a Kolpak deal with Essex.

"A key factor in our selection process was to cover all our bases and all possible conditions that we may encounter in Sri Lanka," said Zondi. "The two additional spinners to back up Keshav Maharaj have both had excellent records in recent times in our domestic cricket. Von Berg also gives us additional batting strength in the lower order."

Heinrich Klaasen is the other uncapped player in the squad - he will continue to provide back-up to wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock, but will also be considered as a specialist batsman. Klaasen was a non-playing member of the squad that beat Australia 3-1 at home recently, and has risen up the batting stakes in the wake of AB de Villiers' international retirement.

South Africa Test squad: Faf du Plessis (c), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, Theunis de Bruyn, Dean Elgar, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Lungisani Ngidi, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dale Steyn, Shaun von Berg.

© Cricbuzz

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