Cobras pull Steyn off BBL Gabba match

Thesouthafrican.com website reports that the Cape Cobras franchise have at the last minute withdrawn permission for strike bowler Dale Steyn to play for the Brisbane Heat on Sunday, 9 December 2012, in Australia's Big Bash League (BBL) Twenty20 tournament.

Steyn - who took 12 wickets in the Test series - will instead fly home to Cape Town in order to play for the Cobras in the Momentum One Day cup semi-final on Sunday.

Following the Protea's resounding fourth day victory in the third Test in Perth, the Cobras realised that Steyn would be able to get back home for the semi-final. The Heat are understandably irate at the late withdrawal. "We conducted all of our negotiations with Dale and his management in good faith... in order to sign him as one of our international players," general manager Andrew Blucher said.

According to Thesouthafrican.com website, acting Cricket South Africa (CSA) chief executive Jacques Faul expressed regret at the situation. "We regret having to withdraw the NOC. We are not in a position to determine which teams will be involved in the final play-off matches," he said.

Read the full article on www.thesouthafrican.com.