Dale Steyn yorked by injury again in Perth Test, ruled out of series

Dale Steyn, who has been plagued by injuries in 2015/16, suffered yet another injury that put him out of the tour of Australia

Dale Steyn has not had a good time in 2015 and 2016. The South African pace spearhead has been plagued by injuries, starting from the 2015 tour to India. In the Perth Test against Australia, Steyn suffered a shoulder injury which ruled him out of the Test series against Australia.

Dale Steyn suffered an injury to his right shoulder during the England series which South Africa lost 2-1 at home. (Getty Images)

Prior to his injury, Dale Steyn bowled with pace and hostility on a WACA wicket that offered pace and bounce. He came out second-best in his duel with David Warner but on the second day, Steyn troubled the left-handed opener. He finally got his reward in the 36th over of the innings when Warner poked at a good length delivery that just moved away off the pitch to fall for 97. The 158-run opening stand was finally broken and Australia collapsed to 244, gaining just a lead of two runs. Steyn’s figures read 12.4-3-51-1.

At stumps on day two, South Africa had moved to 104/2, a lead of 102 with Dean Elgar batting on 46 and JP Duminy unbeaten on 34. Josh Hazlewood and Peter Siddle picked up one wicket each.

However, during the first session, South Africa suffered a major blow. After taking Warner’s wicket, Dale Steyn reinjured his right shoulder in his 13th over and immediately walked off the field.

Big injury woes for Steyn

The South African pace spearhead has suffered from multiple injuries in the past couple of seasons. During the series against India in 2015, Steyn suffered a groin injury after bowling only 11 overs in the first Test in Mohali. The injury dealt a big blow to South Africa as they lost the series 3-0, their first loss away in nine years.

Steyn missed two Tests against England due to a shoulder injury and this injury kept him out of the ODI series against the same opponents. This latest injury only adds to the pace bowler’s woes and South Africa will be hoping that he is not sidelined for a lengthy period of time.