Steyn heads to Cape Cobras

Mickey Arthur, the South African coach, has confirmed that the fast bowler Dale Steyn will be moving to Cape Cobras next season. Steyn, the second-best bowler in the world in the ICC's Test rankings, is currently with the Centurion-based Titans franchise.

"Dale is definitely moving to Cape Town," Arthur was quoted as saying in Supercricket shortly after South Africa's arrival from India on Tuesday. "It makes sense because he owns a house down there and his girlfriend lives there."

Incidentally, the Titans and the Cobras will face off in the semi-finals of the Standard Bank Pro20 at Newlands on Sunday, and that could be Steyn's last game for the Titans if his team fails to go through. Steyn, part of the Bangalore Royal Challengers in the Indian Premier League, was permitted to fly back home to play for his franchise along with several of his South African team-mates who toured India for a three-Test series. That means he will miss the opening games of the IPL.

Looking ahead to the forthcoming tour of England, Arthur didn't expect too many changes to the squad. Following their successful tours to the subcontinent over the last six months, which included Test-series victories in Bangladesh and Pakistan, South Africa drew the three-Test series against India. They routed India by an innings in the second Test in Ahmedabad in three days but India hit back strongly in the third Test in Kanpur, winning by eight wickets, also in three days.

"This was certainly the best season South Africa has had in years. The players deserve all the credit," Arthur added. He also confirmed that the team will undergo a training camp from June 15 before departing for England on June 23. The tour opens with a three-day match against Somerset in Taunton from June 29.