Abbott in pole position to replace Steyn in Hobart

Abbott in pole position to replace Steyn in Hobart

Kyle Abbott is likely to get a crack at Australia in the second Test in Hobart following the injury to Dale Steyn, if hints from South Africa coach Russell Domingo are anything to go by.

Steyn fractured his right shoulder during the first Test at the WACA and is facing a lengthy lay-off with talks of a possible surgery required. With Morne Morkel coming off an injury and lacking any proper match practice, Domingo had his reservations about the senior paceman's involvement.

"We've got two options at the moment. Kyle Abbott and Morne Morkel," Domingo said on Monday (November 7) after South Africa's 177-run win. "Morne is coming off a back injury. We'll assess him two days before the Test and make the call on whether he is 100% fit. Kyle Abbott is a consistent solid performer and has been every time he has come in."

Playing in the same era as bowlers like Steyn, Morkel and Philander has its drawbacks. Despite consistently strong performances at the domestic level, Abbott has never really been able to cement his place in any format. But the 29-year old has made a mark whenever called upon to do a job.

While not giving his cards away yet, Domingo noted the difference in conditions that each venue on the tour has to offer. "We need to weigh up what type of bowler we want to use under the conditions in Hobart, because I think they are different to what they are here. It's a fascinating series because all three venues have totally different conditions. I've never been to Hobart, I've heard its cold and the wickets are a little New Zealand-like, a little slower."

Domingo also heaped praise on Keshav Maharaj for the way the left-arm spinner handled himself on debut. Required to bowl plenty of overs in the absence of Steyn, Maharaj played an impressive holding role while also delivering crucial breakthroughs on a pitch which didn't have much going for him.

"Keshav Maharaj's performance has been nothing short of phenomenal considering it was his first Test. He allowed seamers to have breaks when they needed to and I see him playing a massive role for this side going forward," Domingo said.

Despite AB de Villiers's desperate attempts to fast-track his recovery and make a surprise return for the third Test, Domingo doesn't think that's going to happen. "He has been caddying for a mate at a golf tournament. I don't think he is going to be fit for Adelaide. I am not a doctor but I can't see AB being being there," he said.

Overcoming a setback as big as the loss of de Villiers takes a lot. But after the way South Africa rallied against all odds in Perth, much of their fears coming into this tour must have been allayed. Many have labelled the WACA win as one of their greatest. Accurate or not, things are certainly looking upwards. Domingo's voice reflected that confidence.

"We've won some games of late without some of the best players in the world. We don't have AB de Villiers and we've put in some wonderful performances. At the end of the day, they are all wonderful players," he said. "We've got some really good young players coming into the system and some really good young players back home. We are trying to focus on the group we have at the moment and trying to get the best out of them at the moment."