Proteas head coach, Russell Domingo, says Dale Steyn is fit and hungry to play ahead of the three-match KFC T20 International series against Australia starting at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead in Durban on Friday. Steyn passed the necessary fitness tests, which included a club match outing at the weekend, following a lengthy shoulder injury, and makes a welcome return to international cricket after nearly two months on the side-lines.
The 32-year-old's last T20I appearance was in the semi-final of the ICC World T20 in 2014, where a six-wicket loss to India ended the Proteas' good run at the tournament.
Since then, his involvement in the format has taken a retreat with younger bowlers being given opportunities and the management of his workload prioritising Tests and ODI cricket, and his return brings a wealth of experience that is unmatched in world cricket.
"A hungry, fit, energised Dale is a massive plus for us," Domingo said at the team hotel in Durban on Tuesday. "He hasn't played for South Africa for a long period of time and he has come here with a great attitude. He is desperate to play, desperate to do well, he wants to win a World Cup, he wants to be involved in all formats of the game, so his energy levels are right up there and that bodes really well for us.
"He is an experienced bowler, whether he is bowling four overs or 10 overs in one-day cricket, so it's not a big train smash for us," Domingo explained. "The big thing for these type of players is making sure the hunger and passion is there, he has definitely got that at the moment. His skills are always going to be there, he is desperate to play for South Africa, and that is great news as a coach."
Domingo says the three-match series against a strong Australian outfit will be a good barometer ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup starting next week, and an opportunity to give all of the players in the squad some game-time.
Since then, his involvement in the format has taken a retreat with younger bowlers being given opportunities and the management of his workload prioritising Tests and ODI cricket, and his return brings a wealth of experience that is unmatched in world cricket.
"A hungry, fit, energised Dale is a massive plus for us," Domingo said at the team hotel in Durban on Tuesday. "He hasn't played for South Africa for a long period of time and he has come here with a great attitude. He is desperate to play, desperate to do well, he wants to win a World Cup, he wants to be involved in all formats of the game, so his energy levels are right up there and that bodes really well for us.
"He is an experienced bowler, whether he is bowling four overs or 10 overs in one-day cricket, so it's not a big train smash for us," Domingo explained. "The big thing for these type of players is making sure the hunger and passion is there, he has definitely got that at the moment. His skills are always going to be there, he is desperate to play for South Africa, and that is great news as a coach."
Domingo says the three-match series against a strong Australian outfit will be a good barometer ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup starting next week, and an opportunity to give all of the players in the squad some game-time.
By: Farai Diza
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