The star South African fast bowler Dale Steyn is well aware of the fact that he has to face some stiff competition in order to make it to South Africa‘s squad for the ICC World Cup 2019 in England. It’s been two years since he has played in an ODI and the emergence of young fast bowlers has only made the task that much harder to break into the playing XI for Steyn.

However, Steyn is ready for all the challenges, as quoted in ESPNCricinfo, he said, “It’s good to have challenges. I think Lungi [Ngidi] and KG [Kagiso Rabada] would also appreciate the fact that I’m coming back into the side because they would also know that their positions are under threat. We all are. You can only take a handful of these fast bowlers to the World Cup and we’re all fighting for a spot.”

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Despite the fact that Steyn wants to be in the South African squad for the World Cup, but he will be happier if the Proteas manages to lift the trophy without him. He said, “Everyone wants to go to the World Cup and I would love to go to the World Cup, but individually I would love nothing more than to see the Proteas win a World Cup. And if that means that I don’t go, then so be it.”

Talking about competition, Steyn also said that he did his job by pushing the youngsters like Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi. He is just happy to be there, playing cricket, and challenging them. He is part of South Africa’s 14-man squad that will face Zimbabwe in a three-match ODI series starting from Sunday. He last played an ODI in October 2016 in the 5-0 series win against Australia. He went wicketless in that game and gave 56 runs in 9.2 overs.

Speaking of the same, the pacer elaborated, “It’s so bloody long ago I can’t even remember it. What I do remember is that we won five-nil. And it’s a team game. And that’s all that matters.”