Steyn and Co size up World Cup terrain
DALE Steyn takes it personally when insults are directed at his teammates. Aussie captain Michael Clark earned his wrath for having a go at Vernon Philander in that infamous final session of the Newlands Test in March – the two are yet to resolve their issues.
Steyn was delighted at Morne Morkel’s success in the second ODI in Perth, especially as his big fast-bowling mate is often criticised for low numbers in the wickets column.
“Morne exploited those conditions beautifully,” Steyn said yesterday. “I really feel it’s important to talk about him. He’s one of those unlucky bowlers who doesn’t quite get the rewards he wants... He really deserves that five-wicket haul.”
Then there’s Farhaan Behardien, who seems to be a selectors’ favourite but, despite an excellent outing in Perth on Sunday, still can’t escape criticism from Proteas supporters.
“I thought Fudgie bowled beautifully – we set up the game for him by taking two wickets early, so we got him into the game early to get some overs out of him.
“But, at the end of the day, the guy still has to land the ball in the right place. He picked up a big wicket (Shane Watson). That doesn’t just happen, the guy is bowling in the nets right now, working on it.”
The scary fast bowler encountered by opposing batsmen stands in stark contrast to a strong, caring bloke, who is comfortable in a leadership position and happy to dispense advice to the younger players.
And if South Africa have to play with seven frontline batsmen, so be it, especially if it helps the team to win. Sure, it means more pressure is on Steyn to strike up front with the new ball, but that’s okay, he’ll adapt to that and prosper.
“(Using part-time bowlers) shows the importance of JP (Duminy), being able to bowl off-spin is a massive role for us.
“We are so lucky to have him – and someone like Kallis, we got overs out of him, you only start to realise now.
“We all knew it while he was playing and then when he retired we all wondered what we were going to do. But (other) guys step up to the plate,” said Steyn.
Behardien was one of those guys, taking 1/40 from eight overs on Sunday. And De Villiers, now more serious about his bowling at training, picked up two wickets in the second match in Mount Maunganui against New Zealand.
“It’s important that everyone contributes. And if David Miller didn’t have such a bent right elbow, he’d bowl a couple of overs,” Steyn quipped.
Form
For all that, it is necessary that Morkel, Steyn and Philander replicate their explosive Test form of the last few years for the ODI side this summer.
Of the first two matches of this series against Australia they’ve managed early strikes in one – the outcome of the two matches has virtually come down to those periods.
In the first match, had Imran Tahir shown more commitment when Dave Warner top edged a pull in his direction in the third over, Steyn would have had early reward.
As it was, a double strike from Philander in the 15th over of that match put paid to Australia’s hopes of posting a total closer to 350.
In the second ODI, Morkel and Steyn removed the two openers inside the first five overs, and the Australians battled to make 150.
“You’re still trying to find the right lines and hit the right lengths to find the edge of the bat, and that is specific to Vernon,” explained Steyn.
“That’s what he does, he attacks the top of off-stump, so he is always in the game with a caught behind, bowled or a lbw.
“He’s not the quickest guy in the world and maybe can’t rush you with a bouncer, but he does try to rush you with a skiddy bouncer and can catch you off guard.
“His biggest strength is his line and length.”
With the World Cup in these parts next year, and with the use of two new balls, it puts further emphasis on the pace triumvirate to capture the necessary data now.
“We’ve had good success in the last couple of tours here. If we can finish this tour strong and win, that would be great, but the most important thing is to find those lines and lengths.”