South Africa pacer Dale Steyn has revealed his fears of never being able to bowl again following a prolonged spell on the sidelines due to various injuries.
Steyn had to undergo a frustrating two-year spell on the sidelines with recurring injury troubles that started in South Africa’s 2016 tour of Australia where he fractured his shoulder.
The 35-year-old’s recent encouraging return to competitive cricket has continued with his display in South Africa’s ODI series win over Australia. The veteran looked to be back at his best with the white-ball as he picked up seven wickets across three matches.
Speaking ahead of the launch of the Mzansi Super League on Thursday, Steyn admitted he feared for his cricketing career at one point.
“Not so long ago I didn’t think that I would be playing cricket again,” the Proteas pacer told Sport24.
Who's that guy in the #CTBlitz⚡⚡⚡ attire?#BlitzBrigade #MSLT20 pic.twitter.com/QcnyfXExIL
— Cape Town Blitz (@CT_Blitz) November 15, 2018
“When I broke my shoulder I had this real drive to come back, but it took a long time. It took a solid six months before I could bowl again and I kept joking with my physio saying it was like U9 pace… I could get my arm over but there was no momentum.
“I knew that once I started playing again it would be like riding a bike. I’ve done it for so long and I’m blessed with a very natural action and things come quite easy.”
The South African will now be eager to represent the country in the 2019 World Cup in England but he is not looking that far ahead just yet.
“The World Cup is still a long way away. I think right now my biggest influence in that World Cup side is to come in and really push buttons where I can,” Steyn said.
“I know that when I play well you will see that other guys start to play well too. You’ll see KG (Kagiso Rabada) is performing even better because there is good competition and rivalry within the side.
“That’s my job right now. When that side gets selected, whenever it does, that’s somebody else’s job and we’ll worry about that when it comes.”
Steyn will represent the Cape Town Blitz in the Mzansi Super League and will feature for them on Sunday in the clash against Durban Heat.
