Fast bowler Dale Steyn has reiterated South Africa’s motivation to win the 2019 World Cup as his recovery continues from a shoulder injury sustained during the Indian Premier League.

Steyn injured a shoulder while representing the Royal Challengers Bangalore last month, but has been retained in the Proteas 15-man squad for the global showpiece regardless.

Steyn was one of three bowlers giving fans some concern with the World Cup rapidly approaching.

However, fellow fast bowler Anrich Nortje has not been included after injuring his hand. Like Steyn, strike bowler Kagiso Rabada continues to recover from a back injury sustained during the same tournament.

The Proteas have not won a World Cup in seven attempts, losing semi-finals in 1992, 1999, 2007 and 2015. In 1996 and 2011 they were defeated in the quarter-finals – and 2003 yielded a group stage exit.

‘I will give my best during this World Cup. I have got all the important trophies in my drawing room except this World Cup. I want to have the World Cup medal before I quit the game,’ he was quoted as saying by the Times of India.

‘The whole team is motivated like never before. I am personally trying to convince my teammates that we should not waste this opportunity as well. I was injured before the IPL, but rehabilitation was going on. I have been telling my physiotherapist that I have to be fit, fully fit for the World Cup. We’ll start the campaign as one of the confident teams.’

England and South Africa will open the 2019 Cricket World Cup at The Oval in London on Thursday, 30 May.

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