Steyn ready for comeback

2008-08-12 22:02

Altus Momberg London - Fast bowler Dale Steyn is expected return to the South African cricket team when the Proteas take on the English Lions at Grace Road in Leicester on Thursday.

A broken thumb has kept Steyn out of the last two Test matches against England but the plaster cast has been removed and he is ready to take on England's second-best side.

The Proteas play the England Cricketers Association's Masters XI in a Twenty20 match in Buckinghamshire on Wednesday on a ground that belongs to billionaire Paul Getty.

All the one-day specialists who have joined the SA squad - Albie Morkel, Justin Ontong, Herschelle Gibbs, Vernon Philander and Johan Botha - will be given an opportunity to play.

Proteas captain Graeme Smith and veterans Mark Boucher and Jacques Kallis would enjoy a break, coach Micky Arthur said on Tuesday.

The three seniors will be back when the Proteas take on the Lions in Derby on Saturday.

Arthur said on Tuesday he would like to select his strongest team for the last warm-up match on Saturday.

He said Smith was mentally exhausted after the Test series, which South Africa won 2-1. Boucher also deserved a rest, he added.

"I also want Jacques to get away from cricket for a while. I am not concerned about his batting in the long term but I'd like to give him a break."

Arthur expects the new players to boost the team's motivation for the one-day series.

"The ODI players are ready for action after our success in the Test series. They also want a taste of it. Their enthusiasm will certainly help.

"The Test players are a little tired after an already too long tour but we are motivated for the ODI series.

Albie Morkel, one of the newcomers, said he was looking forward to the one-day matches. "It should be a very good series, especially with Kevin Pietersen as the new England captain."

The SA team for Wednesday's match: Hashim Amla, Herschelle Gibbs, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Justin Ontong, Albie Morkel, Vernon Philander, Johan Botha, Morné Morkel, André Nel and Makhaya Ntini.

- Die Burger