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Cricket: Steyn gets World Cup bid under way
KIMBERLEY, South Africa, Sept 28, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Veteran fast bowler
Dale Steyn’s challenge for a place in South Africa’s 2019 Cricket World Cup
squad gets under way with a three-match one-day international series against
Zimbabwe, starting at the Diamond Oval on Sunday.
Steyn, 35, has not played in one-day internationals since October 2016. He
has been plagued by injuries but is fresh from a stint with English county
Hampshire, taking 20 wickets in five first-class matches. “It was good to go
over and play there, be on the park consistently,” he said.
His ability to stay fit is a key factor for coach Ottis Gibson. “Once Dale
is fit, to me he’s still one of the best two bowlers in the country. He’s
gone away and proven his fitness, so we’ll see how he goes in the next couple
of games,” said Gibson.
Steyn said he was ready to compete for his place. “Having played my last
game only two weeks ago for Hampshire I feel like I’m going, I’m flying. But
white-ball is a whole new challenge. I’ve been playing red-ball in the UK.”
Gibson said the series against Zimbabwe and three matches in Australia in
October and November would be crucial for players trying to stake a claim for
the World Cup in England. He said the selectors would be looking to pick a
probable World Cup squad for home series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka early
next year.
“There will be less and less opportunities going forward, so you have to
make every opportunity you get count,” said Gibson.
With captain Faf du Plessis and leading batsman Hashim Amla injured, and
likely first-choice players David Miller and Quinton de Kock rested, fringe
one-day batsmen such as Dean Elgar, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, Khaya
Zondo and uncapped Christiaan Jonker will want to cash in against modest
opposition.
The Zimbabweans found themselves in the cricketing wilderness when they
failed to advance from a World Cup qualifying tournament in their own country
in March.
That failure led to a purge of Zimbabwe’s entire coaching staff and the
sacking of Graeme Cremer as captain. Cremer is unavailable because of a knee
injury while all-rounder Sikandar Raza was not selected because of a dispute
with Zimbabwe Cricket, which has subsequently been resolved.
Brendan Taylor, Craig Ervine and Sean Williams are back in the side after
being unavailable for recent series because of unpaid salaries.
Squads
South Africa: JP Duminy (capt), Hashim Amla, Dean Elgar, Reeza Hendricks,
Imran Tahir, Christiaan Jonker, Heinrich Klaasen (wkt), Keshav Maharaj, Aiden
Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada,
Tabraiz Shamsi, Dale Steyn, Khaya Zondo
Zimbabwe: Hamilton Masakadza (capt), Tendai Chatara, Elton Chigumbura,
Craig Ervine, Kyle Jarvis, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Wellington Masakadza,
Brandon Mavuta, Peter Moor, Solomon Mire, Ryan Murray (wkt), Richard Ngarava,
Brendan Taylor (wkt), Donald Tiripano, Sean Williams
Fixtures
September
30 First one-day international, Kimberley
October
3 Second one-day international, Bloemfontein
6 Third one-day international, Paarl
BSS/AFP/BZC/1835HRS