Kyle Abbott called up to replace injured Dale Steyn for T20s

Kyle Abbott of South Africa (C) reacts on day 2 of the third test match between South Africa and Australia at Newlands stadium in Cape Town on March 2, 2014.

Right-arm fast-medium bowler Kyle Abbott has been called up to the South African squad for their T20 matches against Australia to replace Dale Steyn who has been suffering with a hamstring injury.

“A Grade 1 hamstring strain would usually take between 7-10 days to recover, so Dale is unlikely to be available for the first two matches in Port Elizabeth and Durban,” said South Africa manager Mohammed Moosajee. “At this stage we are hopeful that he will be available for the ICC World Twenty20 and will work towards having him ready for the final T20 against Australia in Centurion.”

Steyn had suffered injury midway through the second session of the third Test at Newlands, after which he failed to return, and will underwent a fitness test on Sunday morning. He is expected to miss the first two matches.

Abbott, who plays for the Sunfoil Dolphins, took seven wickets on debut in the 3rd Test against Pakistan last year which was the ninth best figure of all time for a debutant in test cricket.

South Africa will be playing three T20s against Australia (March 9, March 12 and March 14) ahead of their World Twenty20 campaign which begins on March 22.

Full Squads:

South Africa: Faf du Plessis (captain), Kyle Abbott, Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock (wk), AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Beuran Hendricks, Imran Tahir, David Miller, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe.

Australia: George Bailey (captain), Dan Christian, Nathan Coulter-Nile, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Brad Haddin (wk), Moises Henriques, Brad Hodge, Brad Hogg, Glenn Maxwell, James Muirhead, Mitchell Starc, David Warner, Shane Watson, Cameron White.