World Cup 2019: Steyn, Rabada gaining fitness, will return for opener against India

Rabada had to return before the IPL playoffs after suffering from a stiff back while Steyn suffered a shoulder injury that forced him to leave IPL midway

Weeks ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, the South African cricket team had a sigh of relief as their leading spearheads are getting back on track. On Wednesday, head coach Ottis Gibson confirmed that pacers Kagiso Rabada and Dale Steyn are will be fit to play in the showpiece event, beginning from May 30 in England and Wales. Rabada, who was one of the stand-out performers in the just-concluded IPL where he picked up 25 wickets in 12 matches for Delhi Capitals, had to return before the playoffs after suffering from a stiff back. On the other hand, Steyn had come midway into the tournament for the Royal Challengers Bangalore as a replacement player, but he could only last two matches before a shoulder injury forced him to return to South Africa and put doubts over his World Cup participation. However, now Gibson believes their injuries are ‘not alarming’. “There was an issue with KG (Rabada) and one with Dale as well. But we feel that those guys are on track. There is nothing that people should be alarmed about. We feel that they're going to make full recoveries and be able to take their place at the World Cup,” said the head coach. Gibson also said that there were enough youngsters in the squad who had not been tainted by the past experiences that have haunted this side for two decades when it comes to major tournaments. “It's a fresh start for us. We're going to the World Cup together and it's my first time with the team," said Gibson. South Africa will face hosts England in the tournament opener on May 30 at The Oval.