Dale Steyn picks up five wickets after returning from injury

Steyn is back with a bang

The South African speedster Dale Steyn is back with a bang. He announced his return in a grand manner as he picked up 5-13 in a club cricket game in South Africa. Steyn with his lethal pace and swing combo annihilated the opponents.

Steyn also declared himself fit for the upcoming series against Australia. Steyn was out of action due to a shoulder strain and on his return he didn’t hold himself back. Playing for Western Province Cricket Club, he ran through his opponents St Augustine in a WP Cricket Association Premier League match against Claremont. 

“I will be fine to play against Australia. All the talk about the injury can take a sideline," Steyn said.

Serious pace and vicious swing

The 32-year-old ‘Steyn-gun’ is reported to have demoralised his opponents with “serious pace and vicious swing” and claimed his first wicket with the second ball of his second over. Steyn finished with 3-2 from five overs as his opponents were bowled out for a paltry 42 in reply to WPCC’s 326-8 (declared).

As his opponents followed on, Steyn came back to pick up two wickets in the second innings as he finished with match figures of 5-13.

Steyn suffered a shoulder strain during the second test against England in December and was ruled out of the remainder of the test series as well as of the ODI and T20 matches that followed. 

While sidelined by the shoulder injury, Steyn survived a scare as he had a deadly run-in with a venomous snake in South Africa’s Kruger National Park earlier this month.

Steyn last played a T20 international for South Africa during the previous World T20 in Bangladesh in 2014, where he took nine wickets at an average of 17. Steyn’s return is certainly a very good news for South Africa as they need their speedster to spearhead their attack in the upcoming Australia series and in the T20 world cup.

Pumps and Fists: Steyn is back

Steyn’s T20 record might not look that impressive with the memories of him being clobbered all around the park in IPL matches. But none can deny the fact that he can set the big stage on fire with his exemplary bowling skills.

And who can forget the fists and the animated celebrations. An event like world cup needs such performers and characters to up the ante and elevate its status in the minds of the viewers.