ENGLISH DOMESTIC SEASON, 2018

Dale Steyn signs with Hampshire

by Cricbuzz Staff • Last updated on

Steyn will fill in for his South African teammate, Hashim Amla, who is on a three-month contract. © Getty

Dale Steyn, the legendary South African pacer, has penned a deal with the English County side Hampshire for the 2018 domestic season, it was announced on Friday (April 6).

The veteran pacer is set to join the county side in June, when he will train at the Ageas Bowl ahead of South Africa's tour of Sri Lanka and fill in for his South African teammate Hashim Amla -- who had earlier signed a contract with the club for the first three months -- in a One-Day Cup match against Somerset and a four-day game against Surrey. Steyn is expected to return as an overseas player during the later part of the domestic season.

"Dale is one of the best bowlers in the world and is extremely motivated to get going after a frustrating period on the side-lines," Giles White, Hampshire's Director of Cricket, said. "It seems a great fit for both parties - we hope that we can help him get back to his best and we look forward to welcoming him to Hampshire."

The 34-year-old speedster, who has 419 Test wickets at an impressive average of 22.32, sustained a serious tissue damage to his left heel during the Cape Town Test versus India. He missed the rest of the three-match series against India and the subsequent four-match rubber against Australia. He had also suffered a fracture of the coracoid process of the right shoulder during the WACA Test against Australia in 2016.

The South African spearhead, who made his Test debut against England in Port Elizabeth in 2004, has previously played for Warwickshire in the 2007 season, when he bagged 23 scalps at an average of 25.86. He also represented Essex in 2005 when he snared 14 wickets at 59.85.

The pacer has also been a fine performer in ODI cricket, evidenced by the fact that he has taken 180 wickets at 26.62.

© Cricbuzz

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