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Steyn: I was born to play Test cricket

Johannesburg - South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn, who led the side to a big win over New Zealand this week, says it's his destiny to play Test cricket for the Proteas, and that he is still as passionate about it as he ever was.

The paceman, who is only six wickets away from overtaking Shaun Pollock as the country's leading Test wicket-taker, has been in and out of the side for the past year with various injuries, and made a triumphant return against the Kiwis.

In the first Test, which was drawn due to a soggy outfield, he took the only two wickets the hosts had time to claim, and then at Centurion he demolished the Black Caps on day four.

Steyn said of his future: "I just want to play. I don't know if I will wake up in a month and can't do it anymore or if I will wake up in four years and can't do it anymore.

"I just really enjoy playing Test cricket. I love it. It's what I feel I have been put on earth to do.

"I do not know when to pull the plug or when the time to make that decision will come but if I am still making batters jump around and the pace is there, I will carry on doing what I am doing."

When asked if he ever worried about not being able to return after repeated setbacks, he added: "No, there was never any doubt.

"I tried to rush back for the Bangalore Test and if I hadn't, I would have probably played the [rest of the] series against India.

"Then, against England, I tried to go from 0 to 100 too quickly and I broke a bone in my shoulder which is very rare. It was not a case of age or ability.

"There was no doubt that my ability was there or that I could play this game anymore."

He also said that the record of 414 wickets would be nice to have, but that it was not important to him in the long run: "When I am 70 years old that's not what I am going to remember.

"I will remember tonight. I will remember winning in Australia, I will remember winning in England, and hopefully I will remember winning a World Cup too."

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