PANAJI
Dale Steyn, the former right arm fast bowler of the South African cricket team is widely regarded as one of the best pacers of all time. Bowling at extreme pace at lengths while maintaining nagging accuracy, and the ability to swing the ball both ways were the hallmarks of Steyn’s distinguished international cricket career.
In Goa, to participate in the inaugural edition of the World Legends Pro T20 League at the 1919 Sportz Cricket Stadium, Verna, Steyn in his debut league game versus Delhi Warriors on Friday, gave a fair indication of why he was regarded among the most feared bowlers of his time.
Reflecting on his first match in the League for the Maharashtra Tycoons, Steyn while speaking to The Goan, with a tinge of disappointment stated it was unfortunate that things did not go their way. “First thing it is pity we did not get on the winning side. We were probably in a nice position to win that game but cricket is never over until the last ball is bowled. Unfortunately, for us we did not manage to win that one but it is nice to get back on the field, play and share the dressing room with guys I have grown up playing with and against. It has been a lot of fun,” the pace ace remarked.
The South Africa legend announced his arrival in the League with a beautiful seam presentation that caught the Delhi Warriors opener, Yogesh Takawale on his crease for nought off his third delivery, to follow up with a unique celebration. Speaking of that moment gone viral, the genial fast bowler stated, “I sometimes joke and we call it the Legends League but sometimes we joke with people and call it the Old Man’s League. No disrespect to anybody here, so that is why I pulled the stump back like as if it is a walking stick.” Speaking further, Steyn said, “We still got it in some way. Its fun. I think everybody wants to come and have fun. The whole point of playing international cricket is its extremely serious at times when you are winning World Cups and you are playing the IPL and stuff like that. Whereas I feel these leagues, like the guys are having the most fun, tend not to break down their bodies and you end up seeing some wonderful results in terms like the wickets taken, or the runs scored. I think it is a lot of fun. We must have fun.”
On an opportunity to share the new ball with the Australian pacer, Peter Siddle in the competition, Steyn expressed delight. “Great. We have had many rivalries against each other. I think he is a fantastic player, a wonderful human. You know, nice again to be in the dressing room with him and actually be part of his team. We are used to playing against him for so many years. And he is still bowling in the Big Bash at almost 150 kmph and we are very similar age. It is inspiring to see what he is still capable of doing,” Steyn asserted.
With an opening burst of 2 for 7 in his three-over spell in the Power Play against Delhi Warriors, and to return to concede only three runs on his return in the crucial 16th over, it appeared that one of the most complete fast bowlers of his generation never really let go of a crack with the ball.
When asked how he maintained the rhythm of things with the ball, and his match fitness, Steyn dismissed that theory. “(Laughs) No. I think you need to understand that at 42-43 years old right now it is a completely different ball game compared to what it was when I was in my 20s, 30s bowling at speeds of 145 (kmph). The mind says one thing and the body says another. You roll with what you can do and right now I am doing what I can do and trust on all those years of experience to be able to land the ball in the right areas. And then be smart on what shot the batter is about to play in terms of the pressure that is built up and set a field accordingly and try and cover that with a good ball that is pretty much it,” the pace great revealed.
