You can't go to a World Cup still learning: Dale Steyn

Dale Steyn is in the middle of a turbulent phase of his career owing to a string of injuries. He suffered a calf injury during the Test series of India’s tour of South Africa earlier this year that kept him out of the game for quite a while. The 35-year-old fast bowler played for Hampshire in the English county and made a comeback to the Test team in the recently concluded Test series against Sri Lanka.

The pitches were conducive to spin and hence, Steyn could only bowl 52.4 overs in which he could manage only a couple of wickets. Last month, the Phalaborwa-born speedster mentioned that he would hang his boots from white-ball cricket after the 2019 World Cup in England and Wales. Meanwhile, the bowler put forth lack of experience in the team’s bowling lineup as an area of concern ahead of the mega event.

You need to know what you are doing

South Africa are currently playing the Lankans in a five-match ODI series and are leading the series 3-0. Lungi Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada have picked up 13 wickets between them and have been impressive. Steyn mentioned that the bowlers need to have clarity on their actions and also wished to play the tournament along with acting as a mentor to the other bowlers in the lineup.

“Our biggest problem in white ball cricket now is our bowling. I don’t think it’s a massive issue but I think in terms of experience it’s our biggest problem. If you look at our top six batters, those guys have all played 800-plus games. But if you look at our bowling, our bottom four, they have probably played 150 games. That’s a massive difference. There’s a heavy weight that weighs up there,” Steyn told the media.

“They are all learning as they play but unfortunately you can’t go to a World Cup still learning. You need to know what you are doing. Even at 35, I am still learning but I know what I am doing. These guys need that. I am hoping that’s what I can offer in the white ball scene and obviously play and win games for the country,” he added.

[interaction id=”5b695e0aafc9e4c04a1ca6f4″]

For more news and developments, stay tuned on CricTracker.com.