Dale Steyn looked a bit rusty, I’m not going to lie: SA coach

Dale Steyn is all set to return to international cricket after more than six months. His last stint was a forgettable one as he got injured in his first Test after a one-year long comeback. However this time, it seems that the legendary pacer is here to stay.

South African coach Ottis Gibson inspired confidence in Steyn ahead of the Sri Lankan Tour. The 35-year-old pacer is regarded as one of the greatest pacers to have played international cricket. Gibson expected him to make the starting XI of the Proteas for the Galle Test.

He looked a bit rusty, I’m not going to lie

Returning after a huge gap can take a toll on any sportsperson and Dale Steyn is no exception to this. However, rising up every time you fall is a sign of a champion. Coach Gibson admitted that while Steyn was looking rusty, he was glad that the pacer was playing in England.

“I’m happy with where Dale is at because he was playing in England. He came into the practice match and he looked a little bit rusty, I’m not going to lie. But we’re talking about one of the best fast bowlers of the modern generation.” He was quoted as saying by Sports24.

Steyn will be good by the time Galle Test comes around

Dale Steyn currently has 419 Test wickets and in just two short of the current South African record held by Shaun Pollock. To achieve that in the following series, he’ll have to fight against time to get ready. The first Test match is scheduled to begin from Thursday. Gibson is confident that Steyn will be good enough in a couple of days.

“He knows what he needs to do to get himself up for a Test match and we’ve had a little chat today about what he needs to do for the remainder of the days building up to the Test Match. He’ll be good to go by the time the Galle Test comes around.”

South African Squad For The Sri Lankan Tour: Faf du Plessis, Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, Theunis de Bruyn, Dean Elgar, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Lungisani Ngidi, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dale Steyn, Shaun von Berg.

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