Must read: Dale Steyn to step up for South Africa T20 side

South Africa’s all-time greatest Test match bowler Dale Steyn is set to return to international cricket after an absence of almost a year. Affectionately known as the Phalaborwa Express within cricketing circles, Steyn was named in the Proteas’ squad to face England in a three-match T20I series.

Read: England secure stunning Pink Day victory over Proteas

After retiring from Test cricket last year, the 36-year-old will turn up for his country here and against Australia in February and March, with an eye on the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia in October. Steyn’s last appearance for South Africa was in a T20 international against Sri Lanka in March, last year. He was selected to play in the recent Cricket World Cup in England and Wales but returned home without playing a role due to a recurring shoulder injury.

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Former Proteas Test arsenal Dale “Phalaborwa Express” Steyn will turn up for South Africa in the three-match T20I series against England (Image: Sourced).

Quinton de Kock, who was named as the country’s long-term ODI captain, will continue in the role for the T20I series against England. This is despite Test captain Faf du Plessis having committed himself to Cricket South Africa (CSA) until after the T20 World Cup. In a statement released on Saturday, CSA noted that the selectors had “opted to extend the rest periods of du Plessis and Kagiso Rabada, who will officially take no further part in the remainder of England’s tour.”

The Proteas squad includes several uncapped players, including, batsman Pite van Biljon and fast bowler Sisanda Magala, who has to prove his fitness. The first T20I is at Buffalo Park in East London on Wednesday before moving onto Durban on Friday and finally Centurion on Sunday.

Squad: Quinton de Kock (captain), Reeza Hendricks, Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Pite van Biljon, Dwaine Pretorius, Andile Phehlukwayo, Jon-Jon Smuts, Beuran Hendricks, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lungi Ngidi, Sisanda Magala, Bjorn Fortuin, Dale Steyn, Heinrich Klaasen.