| 
Posts and words
Loading ...
dale-steyn
Bowlers’ revenge
By Rich Abbott 2 months ago, No Comments; be the first!
As I boarded a British Airways flight to Cape Town three weeks ago, my excitement about gauging exactly how good this South African side is, was largely batsman-fuelled. But, as I prepare to leave the country, my thirst for excellence has mainly been quenched by bowlers.
An attack which begun the first Test featuring an arguably past-it veteran of 100 caps, a relative unknown, a young quick in indifferent form, a non-spinning spinner and no Dale Steyn, ended it with a young quick in inspired form, two handy debutants, a genuine allrounder-in-the-making and Dale Steyn. Not bad going for one month’s work.
The bowling of Steyn and Morkel in the Cape Town and Jo’burg Tests was thrilling to witness, and has an air of longevity about it. Morkel had played 20 Tests before this match, and with some success, but since the new year, his performance has matched his promise.
Skiddy pace and aggression at one end, bouncy pace and aggression at the other – South Africa now boast opening bowlers to match the quality of their strong batting line-up.
No Comments »Jo’burg, day four: SA level the series
By Rich Abbott 2 months ago, 2 Comments »
South Africa brought an excellent series to a close today, and in doing so added a touch more reality to the series scoreline.
Paul Collingwood was the sole reason to be cheerful for England fans, as the home side wrapped up proceedings before lunch. The Durham man was England’s life raft, but no one else was able to cling on with him. The South African supporters have a lot of respect for Collingwood – indeed, the ones I was sitting next to were unable to relax until he was out, and he fell for the ninth wicket. They admire his fighting mentality, and, with Smith, Kallis and Boucher in their team, can be considered experts on the subject. On a highlights programme for the day one action, a home commentator even described Collingwood as “the dangerman of the England side” – testament to both his form this series, and an outsider’s view of his importance to the team.
Pietersen’s forty minutes at the crease were in keeping with his form since Centurion, and his dismissal brought Ian Bell into the action. It says much for his form this series that he brought with him genuine hope, but the examination of character and reflexes that he received from Morkel proved too rigorous – as it would have done for most batsmen.
Ironically, at the end of a long tour, it is England’s two South Africans whose minds seemed to be focussed on home. Both Pietersen and Trott have demonstrated a strange metal detachment from proceedings at the Wanderers.
It’s hard to believe that this was only the third time South Africa have taken 20 wickets in a match in their last seven Tests, and only their second win in that time. But the past year has been something of a transition period for their attack. By successfully blooding De Wet, McLaren and Parnell in this series, they have found cover for the experience and wickets lost in the departure of Makhaya Ntini. The holy grail as far as their bowling attack goes, would be to turn JP Duminy into a genuine allrounder, thus being able to dispense with Paul Harris and finding an off-spinner to utilise the pitch marks left by Parnell’s narrow bowling run-up.
That may or may not happen, but to an extent, it doesn’t matter – the recent form of Morne Morkel, who was quiet last year against Australia, suggests that South Africa have found a worthy partner for Dale Steyn. Aptly, the twin pace threat shared the man of the match award, but at the end of a series, the feeling with those two, especially the less-established Morkel, is that this is just the beginning.
2 Comments »Parnell set for debut in search for 20 wickets
By Rich Abbott 2 months ago, No Comments; be the first!
The most exciting moments of the third Test, came when England were batting, and two South Africans in particular, were bowling. So much for Dale Steyn’s indifferent record against England, and Morne Morkel going off the boil. At Newlands, these two didn’t just come to the party, they crashed it and headed straight for the drinks cabinet.
Collingwood could have done with a stiff drink after Steyn’s stint with the second new ball on the afternoon of the fifth day. Somehow, of course, he survived it, but as Andy Bull concluded, while the compelling 36-ball spell may not have improved Steyn’s stats, it did enhance his reputation as the world’s leading fast bowler.
As a pair, Steyn and Morkel cover all bases and complement each other well. The impressive variety they offer the South Africa team, looks set to be further enhanced by the left-arm accuracy of Wayne Parnell, who seems certain to make his Test debut tomorrow.
If this happens, witnessing it will be a bonus of the trip. No one over here doubts Parnell’s ability, or his destiny as a future mainstay of the Test side, but there is a collective wariness about rushing him into the team. This seemed to be shared by the South African selectors, until the fitness and form of others dictated his elevation.
Some fans favour protecting Parnell like a precious diamond – referring to him only in hushed tones, and preferring to see Makhaya Ntini pick up his 102nd cap tomorrow, rather than Parnell his first, at this early stage in his development. Others argue there’s no point in prolonging the inevitable anymore.
I see the logic of protecting Parnell from the harsh Test match arena, and would ordinarily argue this viewpoint strongly. But on rare occasions, rare players can defy logic. From what I have seen and heard, Parnell may just be one such player.
Either way, he’s likely to be the sort of bowler whose debut you want to be able to say you witnessed. Morkel and Steyn have deserved better than they’ve got so far, and maybe this 20-year old can help them achieve the 20 wickets in a match that their efforts have so narrowly fallen short of so far.
No Comments »The pitch – it’s alive after all
By Will last year, at the start of March, 4 Comments »
Not in Trinidad, yet, but in Durban. Everything’s kicking off over there and Australia have South Africa 14 for 3 – effectively four-down since Smith’s retired hurt. Bruteish fast bowling from Dale Steyn in the morning, and now Mitchell Johnson in the afternoon.
Beats the shit out of the Trinidad game.
4 Comments »And the walls came tumbling down
By Will 2 years ago, at the end of December, 9 Comments »
Amid all the anticipation that Australia are about to lose their first home series in 16 years, there are some intriguing stats to come out following Dale Steyn’s individual excellence:
- Steyn is also the 22nd allrounder – and the second South African, after Fanie de Villiers – to score a half-century and take ten wickets in the same match. He is only the second to do this since 2000.
- Dale Steyn’s match figures of 10 for 154 took his career tally to 150 from 29 Tests at an average of 22.66 and a strike rate of 37.6 balls per wicket. Among bowlers who’ve bowled 2000 balls in Tests, Steyn’s strike rate is second to George Lohmann’s.
(Cricinfo)
Steyn has shone, but it’s been South Africa’s allround dominance which has most stood out. That, and Australia’s many cracks. A batting lineup with one or two ageing hasbeens; the over-reliance on Ponting; some seriously un-Australian loose strokes (Katich, of all people, chasing wide ones) and a bowling attack lacking penetration. That too is over-reliant on Brett Lee, who is injured, and although Mitchell Johnson is progressing nicely, I still don’t see him as a pack-leader.
So, if South Africa knock off these runs, they’ll condemn Australia to their first home-series defeat since West Indies in 1992-93. That’s a monstrously long time ago. I was 10 and my cricketing education had only just begun. Ever since, Australia have ruled the roost.
I’m sure nearly every Englishmen staying up late tonight will automatically (and patriotically?) pledge allegiance to South Africa. But even Australians, I like to think, might be quite excited at the change in world order. Don’t underestimate how significant this is; how Australia responds over the coming years is deliciously exciting.
Fellow losers staying up late (or early) to watch the match, leave a comment or three.
9 Comments »Duminy! Steyn! South Africa!
By Will 2 years ago, at the end of December, 23 Comments »
Whisper it, but I might be turning into a bok fan. This is deeply embarrassing for a multitude of reasons and excuses, most obviously the fact that I abhor most of their sporting sides for being either really good, or thinking their better than they actually are.
But the situation in Melbourne gives me little choice. I’m just going to have to sing South Africa’s praises. JP Duminy cracked 166, in only his second Test, and Dale Steyn made 76 batting at No.10. They began the day 196 runs behind but Duminy and Steyn put on 180 – the third-highest ninth-wicket stand in history. This is truly monstrous.
This all but condemns Australia to second-place in this series, and possibly in the world rankings too. What a day. Can’t wait for the highlights.
23 Comments »Marlon Samuels loses his head
By Will 2 years ago, mid-January, 2 Comments »
Is Marlon Samuels finally growing up? I’m not so sure. It was a wonderful innings, his hundred against South Africa today, but all too often he nibbles and pokes at those decent deliveries outside his off stump. I admired his determination, and his coolness under raging pressure from Dale Steyn. The ball he fell to was spectacular, and I can’t remember seeing a better one. It was one for the memories.
Anyway, we have a photographer at the ground, Neil Lane, who’s been providing us with some excellent (and occasioanlly lewd) shots, including this one of Samuels ducking. Where’s his head gone?
The standard of photography from the agencies – Getty Images use Gallo Sports, Touchline and AFP – has been generally weak for the entire series. Neil’s, on the other hand, are crisp and inventive.
Christmas cricket
By Will 3 years ago, at the end of December, 8 Comments »
Now that England’s misery has been put on hold until the New Zealand series in 2008, attention turns to the southern hemisphere. It’s probably the first Christmas for 10 years that I’ve not had Sky to watch Boxing Day Tests, so I was a bit peeved when I woke up this morning to see what a good day India had enjoyed against Australia at Melbourne. Peter English:
Groups of Australians spent the afternoon wondering whether they were being unpatriotic for smiling when India started running through the home team. For the first session those local supporters who demand nothing but dominance by Ricky Ponting’s men were satisfied with the direction of the game. Their disgruntlement when it changed in the second session was offset by the joy felt – and heard – at the ground by cricket supporters who are desperate to see Australia challenged. After the first day there is hope this series might be the fair fight fans have been craving since the 2005 Ashes.
It promises to be a cracking series between the best two sides in the world. Whether it will match or better the 2005 Ashes is impossible to predict (and unlikely, I’d imagine) but any team who can challenge Australia gets my vote of confidence. Even if it is India…
Several thousand miles away in Port Elizabeth, West Indies have raced to 190 for 3 on the first day against South Africa, with Chris Gayle launching a terrific 66 from just 49 balls. Have a read of his innings – he took Makhaya Ntini and Dale Steyn apart. Brilliant stuff and I can’t wait to see the video.
8 Comments »Hashim Amla, Dale Steyn both dropped
By Will 5 years ago, mid-January, 3 Comments »
South Africa axe Amla and Steyn
Perhaps an indication of desperation from South Africa? Dale Steyn, who I really rate as a young quick, has been dropped/axed along with the hapless Hashim Amla. I can’t quite follow the logic here, but I suppose SA just want a bit more control from their bowlers.
3 Comments »Dale Steyn – from Boks to Bears?
By Will 5 years ago, mid-January, 4 Comments »
Dale Steyn [right] – a better than average South African fast bowling prospect – has been informally approached (whatever that means!) by Warwickshire who are clearly interested. Warwickshire have a fairly useful recent history of South African fast bowlers – messyrs Pollock and Donald both served them.
Unless I’m mistaken, Donald served Warwicks in 1994 when the county won the first of a glut of trophies. Oh – and again I might be wrong, and it’s too late to do any research, but didn’t Pollock take 4 in 4 balls for Warwickshire in his debut season? Something extraordinary like that anyway.
4 Comments »England declare
By Will 6 years ago, at the end of December, No Comments; be the first!
Top knock from Thorpe again – 118 not out batting at number 5. Jones played a gem of 73 from 82, including 2 flat pulled sixes off Steyn. He really looks a fine fine player and ought to average over 40. England declare at 570-7 off 172 overs – South Africa need 378 to win.
Is there yet another twist to this game? (I think) South Africa have 12 overs to face – and another new ball tomorrow morning.
No Comments »South Africa well on top
By Will 6 years ago, at the end of December, No Comments; be the first!
Belated Happy Christmas to my readers.
The Saffers are well on top of England in the 2nd Test at Durban. The pitch is being blamed – which is just an excuse. The batting has been average (at best) – the bowling has been very good. Pollock looks more of a threat, and Dale Steyn looks far more impressive than at Port Elizabeth. So, at Tea, England are 125/8 having been put in by Smith and Giles may not bowl due to being bombarded with bouncers by SA.
Unquestionably South Africa’s day, and they win the first 2 sessions. 2-0 to them. Can Harmison find his line this time? They’ll need something special from him in particular to dig themselves out of this hole.
No Comments »