Fast bowler Dale Steyn does not want to be limited to just surpassing former seamer Shaun Pollock’s record as South Africa’s leading wicket-taker in Test cricket.

Steyn is currently level with Pollock on 421 wickets – and will be afforded the opportunity to hold the record by himself when the series opener against Pakistan gets under way in Centurion on Wednesday.

‘I have a lot more wickets in me than just one more. I haven’t saved myself just to take one more wicket than Pollock. There is a bigger goal at the end of the day,’ said Steyn.

‘I do think it will be a beautiful thing to happen, if it happens. It has taken a long time and these records are great things to achieve. I will be highly honoured, but I will get back to my mark and try to take the next one.’

The 35-year-old has spent the past three months playing for the Proteas in ODI cricket against Australia and the Cape Town Blitz in the Mzansi Super League. Prior to that, he was part of the Test unit that slumped to defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka.

‘It’s just nice to have a red ball in my hand again. Sri Lanka was tough conditions for the fast bowlers, but by the looks of things – the way the nets have been playing out in the middle – there is some spice. I am looking forward to getting out there and playing five competitive days of cricket,’ he added.

The hosts will be without seamers Lungi Ngidi and Vernon Philander, who have been sidelined by injury. The inexperienced Duanne Olivier and uncapped Dane Paterson have been named in the squad.

‘The onus will be on your bigger players like Rabada and myself to lead the attack. Duanne has been bowling beautifully – he was the highest wicket-taker in the Mzansi Super League. If he slips under the radar and he comes up trumps with wickets and wins us the game I will not be complaining,’ concluded Steyn.

Photo: Gallo