South Africa have been without the services for their all-time highest Test wicket-taker, Dale Steyn, for quite some time now, with the fast bowler suffering a series of injuries that have kept him out of most of the action since the ODI series against India last year.
Steyn suffered a groin strain during the first Test against India last winter and hasn’t been at his 100% since then.
He missed the three Tests that followed in that Test series, and also missed out on three of the four Tests that the Proteas played at home against England due to a shoulder injury.
When he didn’t participate in the ODI and the T20I series that followed, questions were raised regarding his availability for the ICC World T20, to be held in India next month.
But, to everyone’s surprise, the South African selectors picked Steyn ahead of an in-form Morne Morkel in the World T20 squad.
The fast-bowler has now started to validate the selectors’ trust by declaring himself fit and ready for the upcoming T20I series against Australia.
Australia would be visiting South Africa for a three-match T20I series next month as a preparatory series for the World T20.
Steyn, who has already made his club cricket return for his club, the Western Province, told Independent Media, “I will be fine to play against Australia.”
“All the talk about the injury can take a sideline - I've been fine for the last three weeks, and that's why I'm playing today. If I was injured, I wouldn't be playing today. So, ready to take on the Aussies and everything should be fine."
Steyn returned with figures of 3 for 2 in 5 overs, and 2 for 11 in 5 overs, during the two innings of the club game.
South Africa play Australia for three T20I on March 4,6, and 9, before kicking off their World T20 campaign against England on March 18 at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.
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