If you're not going to the World Cup to win, then you shouldn't go - Steyn

Dale Steyn is expected to lead South Africa's pace attack at the world cup, along with Kagiso Rabada © Getty

Dale Steyn, South Africa's premium fast bowler, believes that the current International Cricket Council's (ICC) One-Day International rankings will play no role in determining the winners of the upcoming Cricket World Cup, due to start in England, from May 30th.

The veteran of two World Cups was speaking with the press in Kolkata after joining the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) as a replacement player for Australia's Nathan Coulter-Nile in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). South Africa are set to announce their preliminary 15-man World Cup squad on Wednesday (April 18) and the 35-year old pacer is widely expected to add to his two World Cup appearances.

"I think you really need to take rankings and throw it out of the window. Rankings these days don't mean anything. I don't even know what ranking West Indies have, and they just beat England. Australia were losing, and then they've started winning again," Steyn said at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

"I think every team going to the World Cup has a massive chance. England are playing in England, and they're playing some good white-ball cricket. You just need to go there, figure out which teams are best adapting to the conditions and then the team that hits the ground running first has the best chance," he added.

Speaking about his team's chances, Steyn, who will turn 36 during the showpiece event, felt that the four-time semi-finalists had an even chance of claiming their first-ever silverware. "I don't think South Africa have lost an ODI series in one and a half years but no one gives us a chance and then somebody does," he said, speaking of his team's recent high success rate in ODIs. (South Africa have lost 2 out of 13 series in this period)

"If you're not going to the World Cup expecting to win, then you probably shouldn't go. But I'm not going to lie, we have some fantastic players," Steyn added.

Led by Faf du Plessis, South Africa boast of a strong core of experienced batsmen and a bowling line-up that's at the top of their game. Kagiso Rabada is currently the leading wicket-taker in the ongoing IPL, while team-mate Imran Tahir is a close second. Lungi Ngidi and Anrich Nortje, who both missed the IPL with injuries are progressing well and are expected to be named for the big tournament.

"We're led by Faf, whose been in fantastic form lately. And in the IPL, Imran Tahir has been right up there in terms of wickets. From Quinton de Kock all the way down to No. 11, they're all match-winners. We just need to go there and hope a bit of luck - weather, a missed no-ball - goes your way, and you could win the tournament."

"You look at KG (Rabada), he's been bowling exceptionally well. Kagiso is a wunderkind. Just hope he continues that kind of form. He's come on to the scene in international cricket and grabbed the opportunity with both hands. We've seen players come in, show signs of extreme excellence and then fade away, but KG is someone we can get used to," Steyn said.

South Africa open the 2019 edition of the tournament at the Kennington Oval against familiar foes, England on May 30th.