Steyn set to miss World Cup opener while Rabada is passed fit

• South African seamer has not been able to shake off a shoulder injury
• Kagiso Rabada is fit while Steyn could return for second game

Dale Steyn has been ruled out of South Africa's World Cup's opener against England, with Proteas head coach Ottis Gibson confirming he has failed to shrug off a shoulder injury.

The 35-year-old suffered the problem while playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL and Gibson hopes to have him back in time to play Bangladesh in their second match on Sunday.

There was better news for South Africa with Steyn's fellow fast bowler Kagiso Rabada declared fit for the clash at the Oval after a back injury, leaving Gibson with just one seamer spot to fill alongside the 24-year-old and Lungi Ngidi.

“Dale is not quite ready yet. He is not far away but he is not ready yet, we think with a six-week tournament there is no real need to force the issue so he won’t be available,” he said.

“We know he is close and is getting closer every day. We will give him as much time as he needs to get ready. I am trying to give a date but we are hoping if not Sunday, then certainly by India [next Wednesday].

“We looked at the pitch today and it had a tinge of green on it and I suspect over the next two days it will change, so at the moment we have a few options.

“We have a few all-rounders in [Chris] Morris, [Andile] Phehlukwayo and [Dwaine] Pretorius so one of them could come into the equation.”

England are top of the ODI rankings and favourites to win their first ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup but South Africa are one of several sides who arrive in form.

They won their first warm-up match against Sri Lanka by 87 runs before making a strong start to their second against the West Indies, only for rain to cut the day short.

Opening batsman Hashim Amla has re-discovered his form, while Quinton de Kock and captain Faf du Plessis have also scored runs in the warm-up games.

But on Thursday they face fast bowler Jofra Archer – the man India skipper Virat Kohli described as England's X-factor, and who Gibson admits he fears.

“He is fresh and he is obviously talented,” added Gibson, who was born in Barbados like Archer.

“He has a lot of pace and he is from Barbados, so I am glad they picked him!

“He is a very good kid. I have known since he was a youngster growing up, so I am pleased. He has a lot of talent, he brings pace and bowls quickly.

“He is a match-winner so hopefully he won’t have much of a say here but then have a big tournament once the game is over.

“I am really happy for him because I know he is a good boy.”