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Steyn doubtful for Kotla Test, De Lange has extended session

December 01, 2015 17:09 IST

South Africa's Dale Steyn

IMAGE: South Africa's Dale Steyn in action. Photograph: BCCI

When South African team entered the Feroz Shah Kotla arena on Tuesday, all eyes were on Dale Steyn but the pace spearhead skipped the net session, indicating that he has still not recovered from the groin injury he had sustained during the first Test against India in Mohali.

Kyle Abbott and Steyn's cover Merchant De Lange had an extended session at the nets ahead of the fourth and final Test.

Steyn, for the better part, was seated and did not take part in any training. In fact, he did not even wear the bowling spikes and was seen walking around in normal training shoes.

It was learnt that he has undergone one round of fitness test but the result was not known. 

South Africa's Dale Styn leads the team out of the field

IMAGE: South Africa's Dale Styn leads the team out of the field. Photograph: Duif du Toit/Gallo Images/Getty Images

As has been the case with Steyn's fitness update, the South African assistant coach Adrian Birrell also did not shed any light on the fast bowler's availability. 

"He is still nursing a little bit of groin injury. You know with fast bowlers, groin takes a little more time to get right. We need him a hundred percent before we play him in a Test match.

"He will undergo another round of fitness Test tomorrow to make sure whether he is hundred percent before a decision is made," Birrell said. 

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