Steyn shines as South Africa warm-up for the first Test in fine fashion – Cricket News Update
The touring South African warmed up for the opening Test against Australia in fine fashion following some reasonable batting outings for the likes of Hashim Amla, JP Duminy and Jacques Rudolph, coupled with a sensational final spell from Dale Steyn.
After resuming the third and final day from 128 for 2 against Australia A, Amla kept his imperious Test form intact by scoring a well accumulated half-century, which included seven boundaries, before getting retired out.
JP Duminy, who had partnered Amla in a 54-run stand, was the first wicket to fall on the day, after he chopped a delivery off Andrew McDonald onto his stumps. The left-hander, nonetheless, managed to play 82 deliveries for his 31, which will be seen as crucial time spent ahead of the first Test.
Same remained the case with Jacques Rudolph and AB de Villiers, both of whom took time to settle before making 39 and 24 respectively. South Africans kept on batting following de Villiers’ dismissal, which then allowed Faf du Plessis to showcase his batting prowess with a neatly compiled 24 not out.
The visitors eventually declared on 277 for 6, after which the final hour was lit up by Steyn, who ran in to bowl a devastating spell. The premier pacer conceded just 4 runs in his five overs, which also included three maidens and the wicket of opener Liam Davis.
His spell never allowed the on-field batsmen, Phillip Hughes and Rob Quiney, to settle, either of whom could get a Test call-up, provided Shane Watson does not recover from the calf injury.
Quiney managed 11 off 22 balls, where as Hughes scored just 1 off 27 but his innings was described by McDonald, the Australia A captain, as "the best 1 not out I have ever seen." Australia eventually reached 13 for 1 before umpires finally took the bails off.
Rudolph, who stood in the slip cordon, was awestruck by Steyn’s bowling effort. "I played against him a couple of years ago where he bowled the same kind of spell," Rudolph said.
The first Test starts at Brisbane from Friday.
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