Strike bowler participation in third test still uncertain, Philander out

06:39 - 07 January 2016

South Africa's Dale Steyn bowls during the first cricket test match against England in Durban, South Africa, December 28, 2015. REUTERS/Rogan Ward

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.

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 on Wednesday.

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.

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

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