Dale Steyn has at least ‘three years’ left in him

His body might have other ideas but Dale Steyn has indicated strongly that he’s not planning on retiring from international cricket anytime soon.

In fact, the 34-year-old Proteas quick believes he has at least three years of top-level competition left in him despite three major injuries in the past three years.

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“I want to play a lot of cricket. I think I can push it until I’m 38, maybe even 39, and start drifting this way to county cricket around that age,” Steyn told ESPNCricinfo.

“Playing international cricket at the highest level is where everybody wants to play. I have been blessed to have played for many years whether that be for South Africa or in the IPL.”

Naturally, the Phalaborwa Express – as he’s affectionately known as – has sought guarantees from national coach Ottis Gibson that he will get regular game-time.

“If I’m going to be spending the majority of the time on the sidelines, then you might have to weigh-up that option,” he said.

“He’s assured me that a fit Dale Steyn is in the XI and I’m taking his word on that.”

Steyn, included in the South African squad for a two-Test series against Sri Lanka next month on Monday, is currently just three wickets away from breaking Shaun Pollock’s record of 421 Test scalps for the Proteas and admits he’d even try to aim for 500.

“I want to achieve certain things in my career. A hundred Test matches would be amazing and 500 wickets would be incredible.”

He also wants to aim for a World Cup spot next year that seemed unlikely a few months back.

“It would be amazing to play in the World Cup. But you have to play white-ball cricket to be good at white-ball cricket. Hopefully I can get some white-ball games this year leading into December and put my hand up for the spot in that World Cup team next year.”

Steyn is currently playing a few competitive matches for English county Hampshire as a way of getting match fit for the tour and assured all that his body is feeling fine.

“The body is feeling good.”