by sussexpob » Fri Aug 09, 2019 12:27 pm
I was lucky enough to go watch him around his debut in South Africa, in a A team match against the touring Indians. I cant remember the figures he produced, but it was something like 5-10 against one of the best batting line up thats ever existed. It was a mix of ferocious pace and accuracy, simultaneously giving nothing away while posing aggressive questions to the batters. It remains one of the best spells I have ever seen in cricket.
What sets him out is how much his career stands out around his contemporaries in an era that will be signified forever as a batter dominated one. He could bowl pretty much in every conditions you could throw at him, and by memory some of his bowling vs the magnificent Indian team of 2008 on flat decks in Asia was a model for anyone of how to bowl in unfriendly conditions.
Many people are blessed with the ability of pace, swing or accuracy, but it was Steyn's capacity to understand how to use these tools that made his success. He could beat both edges of the bat with swing, maybe some nip off the pitch; but he had an uncanny habit of varying his swing direction to get batsman feeling they could go at the ball. Once the batter seen 3 overs of full length away swing, he'd then rip your middle stump out with a booming inswinger. His first line of attack was always to go for the stumps and challenge your technique at a fundamental level, and then if you stood up to the challenge, the second line of attack would test your ability to pick his variations and concentration. He could also bowl a snorter of a bouncer.
He deserves his place in the timeless pantheon of legends to have played the game for his record...... but when you look at stats, wickets or averages, we often ignore entertainment value; Steyn is right up there with the best spectacles to see in the modern game. The aggression, skill and the feeling he could rip a wicket out at any minute on the most pancake flat of decks all made him someone you went out of your way to catch.
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And a hat and bra to you too, my good sirs!