Steyn unlikely to play in third Test

Former Proteas captain Graeme Smith says champion quick Dale Steyn is targeting the fourth Test in Johannesburg for his return to international cricket as his recovery from a foot injury is taking longer than expected.

Steyn is on the comeback trail after injuring his left heel in the first Test against India in early January at Newlands and was hopeful of playing in the back half of the four-Test series against Australia.

With Kagiso Rabada suspended for the final two Tests of the series – although the youngster is appealing the charge – South Africa would love to be able to call on Steyn for the third Test in Cape Town. 

But Smith says Steyn is an unlikely starter for the third Test and expects towering quick Morne Morkel to take Rabada’s place should the 22-year-old fail to win his appeal. 

“I think Dale Steyn is still a little bit behind in his recovery,” Smith told cricket.com.au in Cape Town on Wednesday.

“I spoke to him this morning actually. He says he’s bowling well but it’s taking him a bit of time to recover after spells so I think he’s targeting that fourth Test to be available. 

“Whether they pick him or not that’s another thing. 

“I think it would be a natural thing for Morne Morkel to come in. 

“For him, close to 300 Test wickets, he’s an experienced guy, (playing his) last series. 

“You’d want him make a big impact if he does get that opportunity. 

“There is experience there behind Rabada, but I just think Rabada has just been that level above everybody else and that’s why he’s such a big loss.”

Prior to the series starting, Proteas team manager Dr Mohammad Moosajee said the Cricket South Africa medical team wanted to see Steyn play “some form of cricket” before earning a Test recall.

The 34-year-old pulled out of a first-class match for the Titans starting today, and will now target the next game in a week’s time, the same day the third Test starts. 

However, should Steyn be fit for the final Test at The Wanderers, Smith says he would be surprised if the Proteas picked the veteran who is just three wickets shy of becoming South Africa’s all-time leading Test wicket-taker. 

“His (Steyn’s) record and his ability is incredible,” Smith said. 

“He’s one of those guys, like an AB (de Villiers) and like a KG (Rabada), where in Cape Town they can make big impacts on the game and impacts on a series and he’s that type of natured player. 

“If South Africa have a bowling attack that’s doing well and everyone’s fit, I would be surprised if they consider him. 

“If someone gets injured or loses form or there’s a question mark then I certainly think he’ll come into the reckoning.”

Should South Africa be without their two spearheads in Steyn and Rabada for the Newlands Test, they will likely miss out on bowling on a pitch suited to fast bowling.

The quicks dominated the India Test at the picturesque venue at the start of year as veteran seamer Vernon Philander claimed nine wickets in a match where neither team posted 300 in an innings. 

Smith expects that trend to continue as well as the prevalence of reverse swing that has played a major role in the first two Tests of the series currently locked at one-all.

“The India Test match surprised me, it had good pace and bounce,” he said. 

“We’re having a drought here in Cape Town, but I think through the borehole water and one of our best groundsmen in the country here in Cape Town, he’s managed to get a little bit of pace back in the surface. 

“Hoping, hoping it will have a little of that pace we saw in the India Test match. 

“In general, it’s a good wicket with both bat and ball and should take a little bit of spin as the game goes on. 

“I’ve been immensely surprised at how much reverse swing has played a role in this series. 

“At the back-end of the South African summer, and it’s been a hot one, I think reverse swing will play a part again.”

Qantas tour of South Africa

South Africa squad: Faf du Plessis (c), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, Theunis de Bruyn, AB de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada.

Australia squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Cameron Bancroft, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Jon Holland, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine, Jhye Richardson, Chadd Sayers, Mitchell Starc.

Warm-up match: Australia beat South Africa A by five wickets. Report, highlights

First Test Australia won by 118 runs. Scorecard

Second Test South Africa won by six wickets. Scorecard

Third Test Newlands, Cape Town, March 22-26. Live coverage

Fourth Test Wanderers, Johannesburg, March 30-April 3. Live coverage