South African fast bowler Dale Steyn wasn’t looking for anything spectacular in his comeback to professional cricket, and he duly delivered three largely uneventful overs in a domestic Twenty20 match on Wednesday.
More than a year after suffering a stress fracture in his right shoulder in a Test in Australia, Steyn, 34, took one for 25 to help his Titans franchise defeat the Knights by 38 runs at the Diamond Oval.
Bowling the second over of the innings, with his team defending 199, Steyn started with a no-ball, then conceded three fours off successive balls in a first over which cost 17 runs.
“It’s been a long road and a long year and I’m looking forward to getting back into the swing of things.” – Dale Steyn@OfficialRAMsa #RamSlam #TurnItUp#sscricket pic.twitter.com/71okXpygm1
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) November 15, 2017
But a two-over spell in mid-innings brought him the wicket of Test squad batsman Theunis de Bruyn while conceding only eight runs, including a wide.
He also contributed a catch in the covers and left the field with a smile on his face.
Steyn needs to prove his fitness before South Africa’s next Test engagement, a day-night encounter against Zimbabwe in Port Elizabeth from December 26 to 29.
Woke up all good this morning, enjoyed it so much last night 😃
Thank you to those close to me who helped me get back, I love you all 👊🏼— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) November 16, 2017
The South African was in good spirits and delighted to have come through unscathed on his return to cricket after being sidelined for 377 days. Steyn took to Twitter on Thursday to reiterate that his body was feeling well after his workout on the field.
If Steyn can work himself into contention for the Proteas, the hosts could field a potentially fiery pace bowling attack which also includes Kagiso Rabada, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander by the time the No.1 ranked Indian team arrive for their tour beginning in January next year.
