
South African pacer Dale Steyn has been ruled out of team's first match of Cricket World Cup 2019 against England on May 30.
The 35-year-old picked up a shoulder injury during his brief stint for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the recently concluded Indian Premier League 2019.
He isyet to recover from the injury and he has been under observation.
"He had been under observation and coach Ottis Gibson confirmed on Tuesday, 28 May, that he won't be fully fit in time for the tournament opener at The Oval on Thursday," stated the official website of World Cup 2019.
"He is getting closer everyday; we hope that if not by Sunday then by the India game," Gibson told presspersons on the sidelines of the team's training.
South Africa has been dealing with injury woes as Kagiso Rabada's fitness was also a major concern for the team. But the pacer quickly recovered to take part in the team's warm-up matches against Sri Lanka and West Indies.
South Africa defeated Sri Lanka in their first warm-up game by 87 runs whereas their second warm-up fixture against West Indies was abandoned due to rain.
South Africa will take on England in the opening fixture of the World Cup on May 30.
(With inputs from agencies)
