The South African pacer was included in the 16-man squad for the upcoming ODI series against Zimbabwe which gets underway on September 30.
The 35-year-old has had rotten luck with regards to injury over the past two years. He was sidelined for almost a year after fracturing his shoulder South Africa’s 2016-17 tour of Australia. When he did finally make his much awaited comeback in the first Test against India at the start of the year, Steyn suffered another freakish toe injury which triggered another extended spell on the sidelines.
The Proteas pacer then made his return competitive cricket for Hampshire in the County Championship this summer before being included in South Africa’s Test squad for the tour of Sri Lanka.
The fast-bowling stalwart had recently expressed his desire to put on the South Africa jersey for the 2019 World Cup in England. Therefore, Steyn’s return to the ODI fold for the first time since October, 2016 augurs well for his chances of fulfilling that dream.
The Proteas' ODI squad v Zimbabwe has just been announced!
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) September 14, 2018
F du Plessis, H Amla, JP Duminy, R Hendricks, I Tahir, Christiaan Jonker, H Klaasen, K Maharaj, A Markram, W Mulder, L Ngidi, A Phehlukwayo, K Rabada, T Shamsi , D Steyn, K Zondo. #ProteaFire pic.twitter.com/SfWLjG3yuz
Christiaan Jonker is the only new face in the 16-man squad announced on Friday with Quinton de Kock and David Miller being given a rest.
Faf du Plessis continues to lead the Proteas side despite struggling with a shoulder injury sustained on the tour of Sri Lanka. The South African skipper’s availability for the series is subject to fitness tests and a replacement will be named in case he is unable to recover in time.
The three ODIs between hosts Zimbabwe and South Africa will be followed by as many T20Is.
ODI SQUAD
Faf du Plessis (c), Hashim Amla, JP Duminy, Reeza Hendricks, Imran Tahir, Christiaan Jonker, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dale Steyn, Khaya Zondo.
T20I SQUAD
Faf du Plessis (c), Gihahn Cloete, Junior Dala, Quinton de Kock (wk), JP Duminy, Robbie Frylinck, Imran Tahir, Jonker, Klaasen (wk), David Miller, Ngidi, Dane Paterson, Phehlukwayo, Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen.
