The return of Dale Steyn ... the signs are looking good

KIMBERLEY: Dale Steyn expected some rustiness perhaps even some nerves but he came through his first match after a year out injured in fine fettle, claiming a crucial wicket and playing his part in another dominant display by the defending champions.

His start, bowling the second over of the innings, on a chilly and blustery evening in Kimberley where the Titans made the Knights their next victim, was an inauspicious one when he overstepped the frontline. Thereafter Knights opener, Grant Mokoena smashed three consecutive fours as Steyn conceded 17 runs in his first over back.

Titans captain Albie Morkel switched him around, and he bowled his next over, the ninth of the innings into the strong wind, and had immediate success when he had Knights captain Theunis de Bruyn, caught by AB de Villiers on the long-on boundary.

Steyn’s third over, which turned out to be his last went for just four runs, which included a wide. For the most part he seemed to be bowling within himself, which is understandable given how long he’s been out of the game.

The match turned on the last three overs of the Titans innings in which they scored 56 runs thanks mainly to Farhaan Behardien, who again underlined his credentials as one of the best “finishers” in the domestic game, hitting 37 off only 14 balls.

The Knights had kept a lid on the powerful Titans batting unit, which despite half-centuries from Henry Davids and Aiden Markram, struggled to come to terms with a sluggishly paced surface.

De Villiers scored 40 off only 20 balls.

Last night was all about Steyn, and the signs in his first game back, were very good.