Veteran South African paceman Dale Steyn is excited to be back in Perth but reckons he would have shed a tear if he'd had to play at the WACA Ground.
Steyn feared his career might be over after breaking his shoulder while playing at the WACA two years ago.
The injury was so bad a doctor questioned whether Steyn had suffered the injury in a motorbike accident or falling off a ladder.
Steyn missed the next 14 months of international cricket while he nursed his body back to full health.
But the 35-year-old is back fit and firing, and hopes to have a big impact in the coming three-match ODI series against Australia.
The series opener will be held in Perth on Sunday.
But with the WACA Ground no longer used for big international matches, Steyn won't be forced to return to the scene of his horrific injury.
Instead, he'll play at the new 60,000-seat Perth Stadium.
"Thank god I'm not playing at the WACA because I might start crying if I was at the top of my mark," Steyn said.
"It is weird to be back here (in Perth).
"The last time I walked off here I didn't realise how bad my shoulder was.
"Eight months of physiotherapy and non-stop rehab got me back so I'm excited to be back here."
Steyn is desperate to play in next year's ODI World Cup in England but he knows he needs to stay fit and in form to achieve that.
Steyn snared 3-29 and 2-19 in his two recent ODI outings against Zimbabwe and he feels he's in good shape.
"I bowled in the high 140s and hit 150, which I was quite pleased about," Steyn said.
"I got through those games and four months of county cricket with limited issues.
"I feel good. The body feels nice."
Steyn's partnership with fellow speedster Kagiso Rabada will play a key role in South Africa's victory chances during the ODI series against Australia.
Australian paceman Josh Hazlewood said facing Steyn would give his team good practice heading into the World Cup.
'It's always good to watch him bowl," Hazlewood said.
"The more quality bowlers we can face leading into that World Cup, it's only going to benefit our guys."
