After an extended spell on the sidelines due to multiple injuries, South Africa pacer Dale Steyn returned to competitive cricket on Wednesday evening.

The 34-year-old fast bowler, whose comeback from a long-term injury earlier this year was short-lived due a freak toe injury he suffered against India in the first Test at Newlands, is currently plying his trade with English county side Hampshire on a one-month contract.

Steyn made his first appearance for the Ageas Bowl club on Wednesday in the Royal London One-Day Cup clash against Somerset.

The veteran’s return didn’t go accordingly to plan as he went for 50 runs in his first five overs. However, he did have a much better second-half as he bowled a brilliant penultimate over for Hampshire under pressure while claiming the wicket of Roelof van der Merwe.

The South African ultimately finished with figures of 1-80 from his 10 overs as Somerset claimed a thrilling last-ball victory chasing down Hampshire’s total of 357 with three wickets to spare.

In a video posted by Hampshire on Twitter, Steyn had earlier confirmed the good news of his impending return with an eye on South Africa’s upcoming tour of Sri Lanka.

“The ball is coming out sweetly,” the Proteas pacer said in the video.

“I needed to get back on the park and play a bit of cricket. South Africa tour Sri Lanka in July so I felt that June was a great time to come and play some cricket.”

South Africa are slated to play two Tests and five ODIs in their tour of Sri Lanka which gets underway in July.

In 86 Tests for South Africa, Steyn has picked up a staggering 419 wickets at an average of just over 22. He needs only three wickets to overtake Shaun Pollock (421) as the most successful bowler in South Africa’s history.