|
Steyn has fractured thumb
24/07/2008 22:01 - (SA)
Die Burger
Altus Momberg
Worcester, England - Dale Steyn has a fractured thumb. Fortunately, it is the one on his left hand and the Proteas fast bowler should be able to play when the third cricket Test against England starts at Edgbaston on Wednesday.
Steyn was informed here on Thursday that X-rays had shown a fracture in the thumb.
He now has a few days to keep the finger out of harm's way while his mates in the South African touring team take on Bangladesh A in a three-day match.
Steyn, who took seven wickets in the second Test, which South Africa won by ten wickets, would have been rested for the match against the Bangladesh side anyway.
It is not known how and when he was injured, but he should be ready for the next match against England.
South Africa, 1-0 up in the four-Test series after the drawn first encounter, won't be trying to defend their lead, veteran wicketkeeper March Boucher said here on Thursday.
The Proteas want to win at Edgbaston to take an unassailable 2-0 lead, he explained. The fourth Test will be played at the Oval in London.
Commanding position
South Africa have not won a series in England since 1965, despite taking an early lead on three tours since then.
In 2003, they led 2-1 going into the last Test. A first-day century by Herschelle Gibbs put them in a commanding position but they still lost the match and had to settle, once again, for a drawn series.
Boucher feels this is a different kind of team. He praised, in particular, the maturity that AB de Villiers and Ashwell Prince had shown in their batting.
"Ashwell is in exceptional form. He can hardly play better. It's a matter of maintaining his hunger for runs," Boucher said.
Talking about Jacques Kallis's disappointing scores in the first two Tests, Boucher said, "Jacques just has not ignited. He is working extra hard and it's only a matter of time before England will run into the real Jacques Kallis.
"Then he's going to give someone a decent hiding.
"Cricket has a way of keeping one modest and to give you an unexpected smack. Jacques has received one. He does not often struggle; so he now knows what it feels like to be one of us, at least for a while."
Boucher was also not up to his usual standards behind the wicket at Lord's, where the ball moved disconcertingly after passing the stumps. At Headingley, however, he took nine catches.
|
Rugby
