Melbourne Stars have signed South African legend Dale Steyn for the sixth season of the Big Bash League. Steyn is Stars’ second overseas signing after Nepal spinner Sandeep Lamichhane. He joins fellow countrymen Ab De Villiers & Chris Morris who joined the BBL with Brisbane Heat & Sydney Thunder respectively.
The veteran pacer said he wanted to join the Big Bash earlier but his commitment with the national team meant scheduling conflicts. Since his retirement from Test Cricket in August, Steyn has been provided this window of opportunity to excel in one of the most exciting T20 leagues in the world. According to reports, Cricket South Africa has cleared him to appear for 6 matches to debut in the Big Bash with an option to extend further in case he is not picked to face England.
ESPN Cricinfo quoted Steyn as saying, “It’s something that I’ve wanted to do for a while, play Big Bash. Unfortunately representing the Proteas for the bulk of my career over Christmas time we’ve always got Test matches on, the Boxing Day and New Year’s Test matches. So, I haven’t been available. But since retiring from Test cricket, it’s opened up a little window for me while the Proteas play red-ball cricket,”
Steyn has not played competitive cricket since his shoulder injury in the IPL which was followed by him missing out playing in the World Cup. He is currently preparing to make a comeback for the Cape Town Blitz in the Mzansi Premier League which begins in November. Melbourne Stars will start their BBL campaign against Brisbane Heat at Queensland on December 20.
