Dale Steyn left out of South Africa's national contract list

Dale Steyn has been left out of the latest 12-month contract list released by Cricket South Africa (CSA), while former captain Faf Du Plessis has been offered a new contract, suggesting he will extend his international career beyond October’s Twenty20 World Cup in Australia.

Earlier this year, Steyn had expressed his desire to be part of the Proteas squad for the aforementioned mega event, but now with him being denied a contract, the pacer’s future with South Africa looks uncertain.

On the other hand, Du Plessis had said that he would review his international future after the tournament. But having been named as one of 16 recipients of a national contract for the 2020-21 season, he now looks set to be available for the next South African summer, which includes home Tests against Sri Lanka and Australia.

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Du Plessis has handed over the captaincy in all three formats to wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock.

CSA have held back on handing out a final contract as an incentive to those who have not made the cut.

“We have decided to keep the 17th men’s contract open for the moment and players can qualify for it through performance,” CSA Acting Chief Executive Jacques Faul said in a statement on Monday.

Seamer Beuran Hendricks, who featured in the Test series against England earlier this year, is the only new recipient.

Contracted players: Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar, Beuran Hendricks, Reeza Hendricks, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen.