Dale Steyn quashes retirement plans; eyeing 2019 World Cup

At 34, it would seem to many that Dale Steyn and his career are coming to a swift close. In fact, even Cricket South Africa seems to be resonating towards the similar fact as well. However, in recent times, the South African pacer has seemingly lost his wits about himself with the ball. Especially following a disastrous campaign for Hampshire, many are beginning to question Steyn’s abilities with the ball.

However, as far as he is concerned, he believes that he has at least four to five years of cricket left in him. “I want to play a lot of cricket. I think I can push it until I’m 38, maybe even 39, and start drifting this way [to county cricket] around that age, but how much cricket can you play for your country is the most important question,” the 86-Test veteran told ESPNcricinfo.

“If I’m going to be spending the majority of the time on the sidelines, then you might have to weigh up that option. But I think it’s a discussion that [South Africa coach] Ottis Gibson and I might have to have, especially with a World Cup coming up.

Shaun Pollock’s record up for grabs

Steyn also shed light on the record set by former Proteas skipper Shaun Pollock. “He’s assured me that a fit Dale Steyn is in the XI and I’m taking his word on that. Hopefully I can get the nod and can go on to get past Polly’s record – that’s been in the back of my mind for two and a half years now – and achieve some of the personal goals I want to achieve, too.”

Steyn added that he would love to be a part of the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2019 “It would be amazing to play in the World Cup. But you have to play white-ball cricket to be good at white-ball cricket,” Steyn said. “Hopefully I can get some white-ball games this year leading into December and put my hand up for the spot in that World Cup team next year.

“So I’ll play as long as my name is up there to represent South Africa.”

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