Dale Steyn hopeful of making it into the South African team for 2019 World Cup

Dale Steyn hasn't played a single ODI since October 2016.

Dale Steyn | GETTY

Dale Steyn, the veteran South Africa cricketer is looking forward to playing in the upcoming World Cup 2019. The 34-year-old quick bowler said that he is good to continue until the age of 38 or 39.

Steyn is also 14 Tests short of 100 Test mark. The pacer has 419 wickets in the longest format and will look to cross the 500 mark. "I want to play a lot of cricket. I think I can push it until I'm 38, maybe even 39, and start drifting this way [to county cricket] around that age, but how much cricket can you play for your country is the most important question," he told ESPNcricinfo.

"If I'm going to be spending the majority of the time on the sidelines, then you might have to weigh up that option. But I think it's a discussion that [South Africa coach] Ottis Gibson and I might have to have, especially with a World Cup coming up.

"He's assured me that a fit Dale Steyn is in the XI and I'm taking his word on that. Hopefully, I can get the nod and can go on to get past Polly's record – that's been in the back of my mind for two and a half years now – and achieve some of the personal goals I want to achieve, too."

Steyn last played a limited overs match in 2016. He featured in an ODI game against Australia on 12 October 2016. But the 116 ODI veteran hasn't lost hope for the 2019 World Cup. "It would be amazing to play in the World Cup. But you have to play white-ball cricket to be good at white-ball cricket," Steyn said.

"Hopefully I can get some white-ball games this year leading into December and put my hand up for the spot in that World Cup team next year. So I'll play as long as my name is up there to represent South Africa."

 
 

By Sihyeu Singh - 11 Jun, 2018

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