I will give my best in the World Cup, says South Africa quick Dale Steyn

South Africa will renew their bid for the first World Cup title in England later this month and their veteran pacer Dale Steyn has stated his desire to win the coveted trophy in his final outing. The Proteas were referred to as the favourites to win the tournament a number of times in the past but they could never make it to the final – either because the rule ditched them or because of a nervous breakdown.

The 35-year-old Dale Steyn, who made a comeback from a long injury stint a few months ago, suffered an injury during the Indian Premier League and had to pull out after playing just two games for the Royal Challengers Bangalore. He returned home to recover fast for the mega event and has now vowed to give his best in his third and final WC.

“I will give my best during this World Cup. I have got all the important trophies in my drawing room except this World Cup. I want to have the World Cup medal before I quit the game. I am just not bothered (about the chokers tag). Incidentally, we could not win any World Cup title after coming back to international cricket.

In 1992, we lost due to a silly rain rule. After that, we did well but we could not win the Cup,” he was quoted as saying by India Today.

While the Proteas were beaten by a bizarre rain rule in the 1992 semi-final after they played their first World Cup, they crashed out because of the tournament rule in 1999 after tying with Australia in the semi-final clash. In 2007 and 2015, they were beaten by Australia and New Zealand, respectively. Steyn was there in the 2015 edition and was left distraught like his colleagues after Grant Elliott’s heroics ran away with the game they could win.

Steyn relieved SA not starting as favourites this time

Dale Steyn, who is South Africa’s highest wicket-taker in Tests, was relieved that his team doesn’t start as favourites this time. “The whole team is motivated like never before. I am personally trying to convince my teammates that we should not waste this opportunity as well. I was injured before the IPL, but rehabilitation was going on. I have been telling my physio that I have to be fit, fully fit for the World Cup. We’ll start the campaign as one of the confident teams,” he added.

South Africa will play the opener of the upcoming World Cup and their opponents will be hosts England who are at the peak of their form. The two teams have met each other six times in the WC so far with both winning three times.

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