Ottis Gibson
Ottis Gibson wants to contribute in all possible ways. Photo Credit: Gallo Images.

Injury-marred speedster Dale Steyn’s selection would be decided by the conditions according to the newly appointed South African coach Ottis Gibson, as the hosts are bound to play the first Test on January 5 in Cape Town.

“It’s depending on the make-up of the team he might well play,” Gibson was quoted as saying Sport24.

The 48-year-old Barbados-born Gibson, who recently succeeded Russell Domingo as the Proteas chief coach believes the situation is bound to make it clear whether to have the 34-year-old bowler in the side or not.

“We have to just look at the best combination of players that we have, and he will come into the discussion,” Gibson said.

Moreover, Gibson remarked they are not sure yet to see the prominent bowler feature in the line-up, but later on hinted that the consideration of the core would help in deciding.

“We don’t know just yet if we’re going to see him (Steyn) this weekend coming,” Gibson observed.

Gibson remarked the players are doing well in the nets and the bowling stock has been shaping up well before top-notch teams would.

In November 2016, Steyn suffered a massive shoulder injury during Perth Test against Australia

Recently, Steyn has featured in a practice game for Cricket South Africa Invitation XI against Zimbabwe where he conceded 16 runs in 12 overs.

Talking about the possibilities, if Steyn would be preferred in the Playing XI for the eagerly awaited first Test, the Faf du Plessis-led has to witness one of his fit fast bowlers warming the bench.

“We have to take each set of conditions as we find them and try and select the best team for the conditions we have,” Gibson maintained.

Interestingly, other three pacers in the form of Morne Morkel, Kagiso Rabada and Vernon Philander and raring to go in the all-important home series against the Test-ranked number one India in the ICC rankings.

“Whatever happens we will pick the best team to win the Test match,” Gibson added.

Before concluding, the Cape Town surface is on the greener side and being himself a bowler in the past, Gibson has a lot on offer for the Proteas skipper Faf du Plessis before leading his team at the Newlands.

“I don’t think that if we were to pick a three-man seam attack plus a spinner that you would want to put him in that attack,” Gibson signed off.

Steyn has featured in 85 Tests in which he bagged 417 wickets for the Proteas since making his debut in 2004 at Port Elizabeth against England.

Tahir Ibn Manzoor is the Editor-In-Chief at Cricket Addictor, who follows cricket like food and he has a great affection for the long-form journalism. He has been associated with the organisation since...