BBL 2019 | Dale Steyn signs up with Melbourne Stars
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Legendary South African pacer Dale Steyn has signed up with the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League. The right-arm pacer who retired from Tests this August is still available for the shorter formats and aims to catch the selectors’ attention ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Proteas pacer Dale Steyn has signed up with the Melbourne Stars for the upcoming season of the Big Bash League (BBL). Steyn is all set to play the first six matches for the franchise, while participation for the rest of the season depends on his selection for the National team.Â
After being left out from the T20 team for the India tour, Steyn was given a break, even after he himself said that he was fit. Steyn hopes to make a comeback into the squad for the series against England at home in February.Â
"It’s been something I’ve wanted to do for a while," cricket.com.au quoted Steyn as saying.
"When you’re sitting back here in South Africa and you’re watching it, it’s such a well-run operation in Australia. It’s brilliant. I think Cricket South Africa could learn a couple of things from the Big Bash," he added.
Talking about his future with the Stars, Steyn made it clear that playing for the national side will always be his priority but he won’t sit idle if he isn’t picked up by the management.Â
"I don’t think we can rule out that. Obviously the first prize is always to play for your country. Representing South Africa is the only thing I’ve ever done for my whole career so far. So to get back into that team is prize number one.” Steyn said.Â
"But if that doesn’t happen, I still want to be playing cricket. I don’t want to be sitting in South Africa not doing anything. So if there’s a window and a chance that I could go back over and play for the Stars, that can be open to discussion. It certainly can happen.
"But we’ve got to wait for the Proteas selection decision, and we can take it from there," he explained.
Steyn revealed that one of his prime motives to sign up for the BBL is to gain some confidence in the shorter format of the game Down Under, where the next T20 World Cup will be taking place.
"They’re (normally) pretty tight on not allowing players to go and play in the Big Bash," Steyn said of Cricket South Africa.
"But knowing that I’m not available for the Tests, wanting to keep me fit, and also having one eye on the Twenty20 World Cup at the backend of next year, they probably felt like it was a good call. Which is great because it keeps me in the running for that World Cup.
"Winning a World Cup medal with your country would be a big highlight. If I can go over to Australia and get some more experience in those conditions. That could be beneficial," he signed off.
