Dale Steyn targeting comeback to competitive cricket in June

Dale Steyn ripping through batting line-ups is a delight for any cricket fan. However, the latter have been starving ever since Steyn suffered a heel injury against India in the first Test of the three-match series having made a comeback in the same match from a long stretch out of the side with a different injury. The latest of a number of injuries had ruled him out for the series and thus missed the subsequent (ongoing) Test series against Australia. There were some fans who were hoping that Steyn would be able to return for the third Test, but his heel took longer than expected to heal.

Steyn, who is closely following his teammates in action, admitted that he was close to full fitness but he needed to get better. He is getting through about 12 to 15 overs but aims for more. 

“I could get through 12 or 15 overs but that's not enough to be competitive in a Test match,” Dale Steyn said while speaking to SuperSport television. 

South Africa will not be playing again for quite some time now. Their next assignment is a series in Sri Lanka in July and August which would give the 34-year-old pacer enough time to recover. After he completely recovers from the injury, Steyn is planning to play for Hampshire in the County Championships. 

“The Proteas don't play for quite a while. I'm going to take another month off. I'm not going to the IPL (Indian Premier League). I'm looking to go over to Hampshire in June to play a little bit of cricket, then Sri Lanka in July,” Steyn said.

Steyn, with 419 wickets in 86 Tests, needs just three wickets to become the leading wicket-taker for South Africa - an honour currently held by Shaun Pollock.