BBL 2019-20: Dale Steyn joins Melbourne Stars for the upcoming season

It was only a couple of months back that Dale Steyn announced his retirement from Test cricket. He bid adieu to the longest format of the game as South Africa’s leading wicket-taker. Injuries played a big part in this decision. However, Steyn said that he will continue playing ODI and T20 cricket.

He was ruled out of the World Cup due to a shoulder injury. Hence, he was subsequently overlooked for the T20I series in India. The last time Steyn was seen in action was during the IPL where he represented the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for a couple of games. He was called in as injury-replacement for Nathan Coulter-Nile. However, it was during that stint he suffered a shoulder injury which has kept him out of action for so long.

However, in what has come as exciting news for fans in Australia and all over the world, Dale Steyn has signed up to play in the Big Bash League (BBL) later this year. The South African will play for the Melbourne Stars. He has been signed for the first six games which could be extended based on the South African team selection. The Melbourne franchise confirmed the news through their Twitter page.

Here we go! #teamgreen https://t.co/YSr8q0LduE

— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) October 8, 2019

De Villiers signed up for Brisbane Heat only last week

This comes only a week after Steyn’s former South African teammate AB de Villiers was scalped by the Brisbane Heat. Like his teammate, Steyn is also very excited to be a part of the BBL this season. However, he did mention that playing for South Africa is his first priority but if a window of opportunity opens up he would love to return back.

“Obviously the first prize is always to play for your country. Representing South Africa is the only thing I’ve ever done for my whole career so far … so to get back into that team is prize number one. But if that doesn’t happen, I still want to be playing cricket. I don’t want to be sitting in South Africa not doing anything,” Dale Steyn was quoted saying by cricket.com.au.

Steyn has a good T20 record. He has featured in 201 T20 games and has picked up 231 wickets at an average of 21.34. He has an economy of 6.70 and has a strike-rate of 19.3.

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