The inhuman Steyn

I suppose it is appropriate that India were bowled out in precisely 20 overs, given that is the length of cricket that will be absorbing the country - and much of the world - in a couple of weeks' time. Having won the toss, India elected to bat and were fielding an hour and a half later after being dismissed for 76. Either this was the worst decision on winning the toss since Nasser Hussain in Brisbane five years ago, or it was due to some terrible batting and some brilliant bowling. Looks like the latter.

The pick of the South Africa bowlers was Dale Steyn, who yet again showed the ability to pick up key batsmen early (Sehwag and Dravid) and then return to slice through a tail like a knife through butter (three wickets in three overs). Just a shame that to judge by this picture no one was there to witness it.

Steyn's progress since the autumn is astounding. Picked as a callow youngster three years ago, the 24-year-old returned to the team against Pakistan in October and took seven wickets in the first Test as South Africa won by 160 runs. He got only two in the drawn match that followed but then went on a roaring rampage over the winter. In 16 Test innings he has taken 63 wickets - almost four wickets every time he bowls - and the wickets have come at a strike-rate of one every four overs.

He would easily be on the teamsheet for a world XI to play Mars having taken his eighth five-for in his 22nd Test - and this one only needed eight overs to complete. I don't mind admitting that I'm rather worried about our batsmen facing him this summer.

Needless to say, his natural talent was enhanced by a spell with Essex a couple of years ago... Only took 14 wickets at an average of 60 for us, however, which shows how tough the county championship is (or how poor for bowlers are the wickets at Chelmsford).

Comments

[Nathan]

I think it is safe to assume that ann, with her comment that 'you cannot ever simply write England off without some percentage of risk that you'll need to eat your hat ...', has crossed the line from 'confident in her team's abilities' to 'delusional'.

Either that, or she hasn't seen too many test matches involving England over the last 15 years or so!

[Ann]

I assume you have a reasonable collection of hats you are not particularly keen to keep, Innocent? One thing any cricket lover should have learned by now: you cannot ever simply write England off without some percentage of risk that you'll need to eat your hat on the day. We cannot 'assume' that we'll lose all the tests, and you are risking even more hats by saying 'by hefty margins'.

[Pablo]

Considering that the martian captain is Marvin Headknocker with Ford Prefect as the wicket-keeper, these would be some interesting series. When is Lord's available then? Do they have towels there?

[Innocent Abroad]

Yes, I think we can assume that we'll lose all the tests against Sarf Efrika by hefty margins...

[Marius Roodt]

Steyn vs Pietersen, the clash of the summer?

England vs. SA are always good contests, I think the sides have always been pretty evenly matched. I think the only series where one side was definitely the better team, was the 1999-00 series in SA. But even then, England could have squared the series in Durban in the Third Test (I think) if Gary Kirsten hadn't made 275.

If I was a betting man, I'd say SA will shade the series, but England won't roll over, that's for sure.

[Suave]

Patrick,

It has to be the latter, where Essex are concerned. Just once it would be nice to see a bit of life in the county ground. Especially now that they are restricted on how many games they can play at the smaller grounds.