Dale Steyn wants to make full use of bouncy tracks – Cricket News Update
South African fast bowler, Dale Steyn has set his own targets against their upcoming opponents by claiming that he wants to trouble the Sri Lankan batsman by hitting the ball higher up the bat.
The two teams are set to lock horns in a three-match Test series, where the first five-day fixture starts tomorrow at Centurion. While his teammate, AB de Villiers early stated that he wants good cricket wickets, the fast bowler isn’t to keen to have tracks favouring the batters and instead prefers the usual green pitches, which will make things difficult for the opposition.
The Lankans last toured Proteas nine years back which means that most of their players have not played in such bowler friendly environment. Also, with conditions back home totally different, Steyn feels that his team certainly holds the edge.
"In the subcontinent, where these guys grow up, the ball hits the bat from the stickers down," Steyn said. "We want to hit the bat on areas that are unfamiliar for them and make them feel uncomfortable, like maybe a little higher up."
The tourists are certainly in an unfamiliar territory due to absences of key fast bowlers. Also, the reliance on veteran duo, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene only remains there realistic hope of containing an inform bowling attack, which apart from Steyn also includes Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel.
Philander’s had a dream debut series against Australia recently where he demolished the opponents, claiming 14 wickets at 13.92. Using Morkel as the third pacer suits the team due to his ability of hitting the deck hard despite the ball getting old. Regarding the pace options, Steyn commented that it is nice to have such strength.
"Vernon is the kind of bowler who is fantastic to share the new ball with. The next guy to step up is Morne Morkel who bowls thunderbolts from 10 foot up. And then we have Jacques Kallis who has shown in domestic matches this year that he can still rev it up to 140. It's nice to have guys who follow up the new ball with pace,” added Steyn.
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