The ‘Steyn Gun’ could be about to make a comeback to international cricket after almost a year out due to a shoulder injury.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers the world has ever seen, Dale Steyn’s future was cast in doubt after suffering a fractured shoulder in the first Test against Australia in Perth last November.
Now 34-years-old, Steyn’s injury at that time was seen by some as a career-ending blow and there were doubts if he could ever return to being the beast he was in peak condition.
As of now, those questions might just about to be answered after the ‘Phalaborwa Express’ posted an Instagram update signalling that a comeback was on the cards.
International cricket sure has missed the fiery Steyn with his never-say-die attitude and his return would be welcomed by the cricket fraternity.
With 417 Test wickets in just 85 matches, Steyn needs just five more scalps to overtake another South African great in Shaun Pollock as the country’s highest wicket-taker.
For a man who was destined to breach the 500-wicket mark with ease before his injury troubles, there could now still be time for Steyn to attain that landmark, though whether he gets the chance to do that remains to be seen.
Skipper Faf du Plessis on his return from the recently concluded England tour remarked that it would be tough for Steyn to come back at the highest level and that there were concerns if he would ever be able to bowl at usual pace again.
Steyn responded back by saying that pace was not a concern. One could find themselves agreeing with the premier express bowler whose potency lies just not in his pace but more so in his natural out-swingers to the right-handed batsmen.
Having not played a competitive match in nine months now, Steyn will be eager to get back into the national set-up and get some games under his belt before the visits of Bangladesh and India later this year.
Steyn suffered a fracture on his shoulder in November 2016.
Cricket fans all over the world have missed Steyn with his trademark celebrations and it would sure be a sight to behold if the master could come back to play at the highest level when the number one ranked India visit South Africa.
A Virat Kohli versus a reinvigorated Dale Steyn should be a cracker of a battle. We just hope it happens come winter.