Steyn: Retirement rumours ‘absolute rubbish’

News

Cricket365
January 23, 2016

South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn says the notion that he'll be retiring soon is 'absolute rubbish' and insists that he still has plenty of overs left in him before calling it a day.

Steyn has missed six of the Proteas' past eight Tests due to various injuries, and has missed all but one in this series against England because of a hurt shoulder. This had led to speculation that he might cut back dramatically.

But the paceman, who has dropped to three in the ICC Test bowling rankings, told Business Day of the rumours: "It's absolute rubbish.

"I played 48 tests in a row, didn't miss a single one, and now suddenly I'm an injury liability at the age of 32? It's ridiculous.

"Injuries can happen to anybody but I'm still one of the fittest players in the squad and I have many, many overs left in me."

"The Test team is going through some huge changes and I want to help lead the way as one of the senior players. This is no time to turn your back and walk away, that's the last thing on my mind."

Steyn added that he could miss out on the ODIs against England following this Test series, as he's keen to make sure he's ready and fit for the World Twenty20 in March, which could be his last big tournament.

He said: "I'd love to be involved in the ODI series against England but I'm not going to rush back from injury, like I did in India, and make it worse.

"I'm desperately keen to be fit and play in the T20 World Cup in India in March. It might be my last World Cup so I'd like to help win the bloody thing."