Proteas coach Ottis Gibson is convinced fast bowlers Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada will be fit and firing when the first ball is bowled at the World Cup.
Facing hosts England in their tournament opener at the end of the month, the Proteas already had to pull Anrich Nortje from the squad because of a thumb injury.
Gibson, though, has no such fears when it comes to Steyn, who is nursing a shoulder injury, and Rabada, who is recovering from an injured back.
CONFIDENT: Proteas coach Ottis Gibson. Photo: Chris Rocco/Backpagepix.
The coach explains: “Obviously there was an issue with KG and an issue with Dale, but we feel like those guys are on track.
“There’s nothing that people should be alarmed about.
“We feel that they’re both going to make full recoveries to take their places at the World Cup.”
When pushed on their availability for the Proteas’ tournament opener against England on May 30, Gibson, left, adds: “Absolutely, [both will be available for that match].”
WILL BE READY: Proteas yster Kagiso Rabada. Photo: Backpagepix.
Of the mood in the camp before they leave for England on Sunday, he adds: “We’ve been away from each other, we’ve been all over the world, but to reconnect on Monday was awesome. The fact that everybody turned up in good health is also very nice.”