Dale Steyn joins Melbourne Stars for his BBL debut

Dale Steyn is the latest addition in the growing list of South African cricketers to join the Big Bash League. After AB de Villiers and Chris Morris, the fast bowler has decided to take a part in the Australian domestic T20 tournament. Steyn will be joining Melbourne Stars for a six-game stint in the coming year. The 36-year old will have a choice of extending his stay if he is free of international commitment.

South Africa’s leading wicket-taker in Test cricket announced his retirement from red-ball cricket in a bid to extend his white-ball career. Thus he is still available in ODIs and T20Is for his nation. If the selectors recall him for the limited-overs series at home against England in February next year, Steyn will have to cut short his BBL venture.

Here we go! #teamgreen https://t.co/YSr8q0LduE

— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) October 8, 2019

“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.

“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,” the pacer added.

Steyn last represented South Africa internationally in March 2019. He missed out on the 2019 World Cup due to a shoulder injury. The fast bowler will next be seen in action for Cape Town Blitz in the second season of Mzansi Super League. Other exciting names that shall appear in the Big Bash League 2019-2020 are –

A B de Villiers – Brisbane Heat

Chris Morris – Sydney Thunder

Tom Banton – Brisbane Heat