Lanka Premier League (LPL) franchise Kandy Tuskers have roped in South Africa paceman Dale Steyn for the inaugural season of the LPL, adding a much-required strength to the team. Tuskers made the announcement on Sunday on the social media platform, Twitter.
The Proteas is equally thrilled to join the team and informed that he will be joining the team at the end of this week. Steyn has been essentially signed as a replacement of Pakistani pacer Sohail Tanvir, who has been placed in an isolated treatment facility after testing positive for COVID-19 upon his arrival in the county. Tanvir will not be able to join the team until he completes the 14-day quarantine period and is fit for playing the game.
So, with Sohail Tanvir sidelined for most of the tournament, Steyn will be playing his as his replacement. “We will assess when he can start playing after he arrives,” team’s assistant coach Farveez Maharoof said.
“We’ll have to talk to the health authorities before we make a final call.” he added.
Along with Steyn, Zimbabwe batsman Brendon Taylor, and left-handed medium-fast Sri Lankan bowler Vishwa Fernando are the other latest inclusions in the team. The addition of the players come has a great sigh of relief after some notable players signed by the team pulled out from the tournament.
The team has been having a rough week since run-machine Chris Gayle, and Liam Plunkett withdrew their names from the tournament. Gayle pulled out his name from the tournament on account of an injury, giving a huge blow to the franchise.
LPL will roll out on November 26 and run till December 16. All the days will observe double-headers except for the semi-finals that will be on December 13 and December 14. Tuskers will play the opening match of the tournament. They will lock horns with Columbo Kings at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota.
