Dale Steyn aspires for World Cup glory

Capetown: South African fast bowler Dale Steyn has said that he wishes to win a World Cup trophy for his side.

The 35-year-old, however, added that making a comeback to the South African one-day side would be his priority.

“I would love to win a trophy for South Africa in white ball cricket. A number of cricketers who have played before me – Jacques Kallis, Mark Boucher and Graeme Smith are legends of the game, but weren’t fortunate enough to win an ICC-sanctioned event during their playing careers. I might join those names, but hopefully I will still be around in 2019 to play in the next World Cup and have a crack at winning the trophy in the UK,” Sports24.com quoted Steyn, as saying.

“However, I have got to earn my way back into the Proteas ODI team,” he added.
Praising the current generation of South African bowlers, Steyn said that they are performing quite well and he would be happy to sit out of the team and watch them shine. He, however, asserted that he is still capable of making a useful contribution to the national side.

“Our fast bowlers are doing quite well of late and, if they are in-form and performing, I don’t mind sitting aside and watching them shine. However, I still believe I can deliver the goods and hopefully I can represent my country for a couple more years,” Steyn said.

“Hopefully I can get some white-ball games this year and put my hand up for the spot in that World Cup team next year,” he added.

The pacer, who made his ODI debut in 2005, played his last one-day match against Australia in 2016.

Steyn has played a total of 116 ODIs and has taken 180 wickets with an economy rate of 4.94 while in Tests, he has scalped 421 wickets with an economy rate of 3.23 in 88 matches.

ANI