Dale Steyn makes ODI return after a gap of two years

South Africa’s pace spearhead Dale Steyn will be making a comeback to cricket after almost a gap of two years when he was sidelined with repeated injuries.

Steyn, who last played in a One-Day international in 2016, has been included in the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe starting from the last week of September. The 35-year-old had spoken of his desire to be in contention of the place in the ICC 2019 Cricket World Cup and participating in the Zimbabwe series will give him a good opportunity to prove his mettle.

Leg-spinner Imran Tahir, who was rested for the Sri Lankan tour will also make a comeback into the South Africa ODI team, while wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock and David Miller miss out owing to their injury concerns.

Among the new players, batsman Khaya Zondo has been included in the team. Skipper Faf Du Plessis, who sustained a shoulder niggle during the recent tour of Sri Lanka had been named in the squad but is yet to fully recover from the injury.

“Faf continues to make a recovery from the shoulder injury he suffered in Sri Lanka. It is a week by week case and a call will be made in due course,” said the team doctor Mohammed Moosajee.

Also Read: South Africa’s David Miller has quit first-class cricket to focus on World Cup

Meanwhile, CSA National Selection Panel (NSP) convener Linda Zondi was quoted by Hindustan Times saying, “We have also recalled Khaya Zondo to the ODI squad as another part of the pool broadening process. He had an outstanding quadrangular series for SA A in India against high-quality opposition, scoring our only century and having a strike rate of 95.”

He further added, “We still have ODI series after this one against Australia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka as we get closer to finalising our likely World Cup squad.

Talking about the exclusion of Kaigaso Rabada, he added, “We are resting Kagiso Rabada from the T20 series as he has a very busy season ahead.”

Image Source: Times Now