He’s only just returning to top-flight cricket after many months of inaction because of injuries, and while the wickets haven’t come in rushes, Steyn has notched up a nice personal milestone: an ODI half-century.
“That wasn’t me,” he joked afterwards, having top-scored for South Africa with an 85-ball 60 in his team’s 120-run win over Zimbabwe on a treacherous pitch in Bloemfontein.
He's back! @DaleSteyn62 says he's happy he could help the team to a series win #ProteaFire #TeamMan #canbatcanbowl #SAvZIM pic.twitter.com/Lm7ASJNbYx
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) October 3, 2018
The next best score for South Africa was Aiden Markram’s 35 from the top of the order, though Andile Phehlukwayo’s 28 in a 75-run stand with Steyn for the eighth wicket was as crucial. For Zimbabwe, Hamilton Masakadza’s 27 was the best score.
Indeed, 67 times in his 117-match ODI career, Steyn hasn’t even been required to bat.
“In some ways, I’m disappointed that I couldn’t have done that earlier in my career and I had to wait this long, but it’s nice to score runs and contribute,” he said.
