South Africa veteran Dale Steyn was delighted to return to the one-day international fold fighting fit, taking wickets and even scoring runs.

The paceman, who has endured injury problems, made his first ODI appearance since 2016 in the 120-run victory over Zimbabwe, which sealed a series win for the Proteas.

Steyn scored a career-best 60 in this format and then took two wickets in a one-sided clash in Bloemfontein, where he and Andile Phehlukwayo put on a 75-run partnership to steer the host to 198 all out.

In response, Zimbabwe was sent packing for just 78, Imran Tahir taking six wickets, and Steyn conceded it was a tricky pitch to bat on.

READ: Steyn and Tahir inspire Proteas to dominant win over Zimbabwe

"Any time I bat it's quite difficult to be honest with you, and that wicket was quite tough," he told Sky Sports , citing his game time with Hampshire as key to his progress.

"But the opening bowlers bowled out quite a lot of overs and got through the spin so myself and Andile managed to build a partnership.

"We tried to bat in five-over spells and somehow I managed to get myself some runs. 

"You know what it's like in the county season, you're always batting. You get in a slog every now and then, but I think the thing is that I've been playing cricket, which is nice. 

"In the past I've come into these series after a winter and haven't played a lot of cricket and I kind of feel my way into series.

"But it's quite nice to actually just come back from playing some cricket. My last game was two weeks ago, so I feel cricket-fit, which is good."