Dale Steyn‘s participation in the Cricket World Cup has been thrown into doubt after confirmation that the speedster will return to South Africa to seek a medical opinion on his latest injury.

South Africa’s premier strike bowler has now effectively been ruled out of the remainder of the Indian Premier League after injuring his right shoulder.

His latest injury will be of concern to the national team’s medical staff with Steyn already having endured a period of nearly two years battling injuries that started with a broken shoulder in Australia in November 2016. He also spent over a year nursing a heel injury after returning to the Test side to play against India at Newlands in January 2017.

Steyn’s departure from the IPL comes after he belatedly joined Bangalore as a replacement for the injured Nathan Coulter-Nile in mid-April.

He took four wickets in two matches before breaking down.

‘Steyn will return back to South Africa after his right shoulder flared up while playing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League,’ read a statement from Cricket South Africa.

‘Steyn will be assessed by a shoulder specialist and measures will be put in place to get him ready for the World Cup in England and Wales next month.’

Earlier this month, Steyn was named in the Proteas’ squad for the 2019 World Cup in the United Kingdom. South Africa and co-hosts England will open the tournament at The Oval in London on 30 May.

‘Dale felt discomfort after playing his second match at the tournament. Upon assessment and subsequent investigations, a flare-up of his right shoulder was confirmed,’ added Proteas team manager and doctor Mohammed Moosajee.

‘With the World Cup around the corner, it is our priority to get him back to full fitness before the squad departs on 19 May. He will consult with a shoulder specialist upon his return and a recovery plan will be put in place.’

Photo: SPORTZPICS for BCCI