New Delhi: South Africa were dealt with a big blow on Wednesday after skipper Hashim Amla confirmed Dale Steyn's absence in the fourth Test starting December 3 at the Feroz Shah Kotla, here.
Steyn, who has been a prolific world class bowler, misses out with hamstring injury that has seen him not featuring in the Bengaluru and Nagpur Tests respectively. With fast bowler Morne Morkel impressing in Nagpur on a spin-friendly pitch, Steyn would have relished an outing.
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Steyn impressed against India in his earlier tours in 2008 and 2010 respectively. Steyn had an impressive tally of 26 wickets in five Tests in India prior to the start of this series.
With the focus now on Delhi strip, South Africa pacers will look to have some say in the absence of Steyn. Morkel will lead the attack of the visitors as pacers Marchant de Lange, Kagiso Rabada and Kyle Abbott will fight it out to make the starting XI.
South Africa would have loved to have both Morkel and Steyn bowling in the fourth Test but with the idea gone, they will hope the other pacers turn up on a strong note.
Simon Harmer has impressed at large as Imran Tahir showed bowling him frequently will do skipper Hashim Amla tons of good. The Proteas have bowled well as an unit and it has been their batsmen's poor show against Indian spinners that has allowed the hosts to seal the series 2-0 already.
