Steyn to retire from ODIs after 2019 World Cup
Mumbai, July 26: Plagued by injuries over the last couple of years, veteran South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn is aiming to retire from limited overs cricket after the 2019 World Cup in England.
“I will be trying to get to that World Cup (in England). But after the World Cup I don’t see myself playing white ball cricket for South Africa. By the time the next World Cup comes, I will be 40,” Steyn said at a promotional event, here on Thursday.
Steyn is hopeful that his huge experience would help him earn a place in that UK bound World Cup squad. “If you look at the (SA) batting line-up, our top six have played 1,000 games, but lower half - from eight to eleven who are currently playing - not even 150 games. You need to draw on experience.
“I hope that will be my trump card when the selection comes to the World Cup. I may not necessarily play all the time. But I think my experience will help with me just being there,” he said. However Steyn said that he would love to continue playing Test cricket even after 2019 World Cup.
“When it comes to Test cricket, I would like to play as long as possible. I have finally come out of a cloud of injuries. I broke my shoulder and in my first game on return (against India at Cape Town), I landed in a foothole. It was rotten luck.”
“It’s quite difficult to come back from a broken shoulder, especially with your bowling arm. I feel that’s (injury) gone and now I am fit. I played two Test matches without an injury (against Sri Lanka recently), bowled at good pace and never went off the field
I will be trying to get to that World Cup (in England). But after the World Cup I don't see myself playing white ball cricket for South Africa.
because of niggles. It’s a big plus,” he added during an event organised by ‘Go Pro’. Steyn however struggled for wickets against Sri Lanka. He got one each in the two innings of the opening Test and none in the second. “Wickets are something that’s not guaranteed. I am happy I came out 100 per cent (fitness wise). That’s the biggest cloud I have gotten over, especially after the last two years,” he explained. About South Africa being hammered 2-0 by hosts Lanka, Steyn complimented the islanders for playing to their strength, relying on spin in helpful conditions. “The wickets were tough to play on. Sri Lanka also played good cricket. They played their cards right. Preparation was difficult (for SA). They came out trumps. Hats off to them; they played better cricket,” he said. Steyn in in favour of doing away with the toss and emphasised that cricket has changed so much there’s no point in sticking to age-old traditions. “There’s been a bit of talk (of doing away with the toss in international cricket). I think there will be some for it and there will be some against it. It might not happen.”
— Dale Steyn