Dale Steyn takes to Twitter to announce his international comeback

Dale Steyn, after staying on the sidelines for almost a year owing to a shoulder injury is set to make his return. The Protea speedster has been named in a 14-man South African squad to play Zimbabwe in the first ever four-day day-night Test later this month, marking their return to the longest format after long, injury-enforced breaks. The match will act as a preparatory ground before the all-important series against India.

However, prior to that, Steyn will have a dress rehearsal as he is set to feature for a South African Invitation XI against Zimbabwe. The teams will meet in Paarl from December 20 to 22 in Zimbabwe’s only warm-up match before the country stages its first day-night Test, a one-off match in Port Elizabeth from December 26 to 29.

Steyn, 34, suffered a broken shoulder playing against Australia in Perth some 13 months back. He started playing again only in November after a long sabbatical. He has shown impressive form in four T20 matches he played for Titans, taking six wickets at an average of 13.50 and conceding only 5.78 runs an over.

And the cherished seamer made quite an announcement to mark his return. The pacer took to his Twitter handle and posted, “Time to dust off the old whites.”

Time to dust off the old whites ??

— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) December 19, 2017

AB de Villiers to return too

De Villiers, 33, played his last Test against England in Centurion in January 2016, after which he took a voluntary break from Test cricket with an eye on the 2019 World Cup in England. He has since reaffirmed his commitment to the longer format, and this game against Zimbabwe in Port Elizabeth will allow him to ease back into the fold ahead of the three-Test series against India starting in Cape Town on January 5.

The dynamic right-hander, who has returned to the squad after a gap of two years gave up the captaincy during his extended break which is now held by Faf du Plessis. He has only appeared in one first-class match during the current season.