Dale Steyn wants to “learn to win trophies” with the Cape Cobras after his previous disappointments with the Proteas.
The pace spearhead is part of the latest generation of South African cricketers to have failed at major ICC tournaments, which includes two World Twenty20s, a Champions Trophy and, most importantly, the World Cup earlier this year.
But Steyn does have a gilt-edged opportunity with his domestic franchise over the next 10 days to savour that sweet taste of success.
He will lead the Cobras attack in the final round of 1-Day Cup fixtures tonight against the Dolphins at Newlands. Secure victory tonight and Newlands will play host to the inaugural final next week, where Steyn should again be available.
“I have never played in a Proteas team that has won a trophy,” Steyn told the Cape Times after training on Tuesday.
“So what do you do? You take a step down, and work with your franchise in a bid to get used to the pressure. I want to learn to win trophies, to learn about the things required to win.”
The former Titans man has had an opportunity to win a major trophy with the Cobras this year.
In fact, it was Steyn’s poor death bowling in a couple of Champions League Twenty20 games in India that played a large role in the Cobras’ failure to advance to the playoff stages. Steyn conceded 15 runs in the penultimate over against Trinidad and Tobago, and 17 against the Chennai Super Kings. The Cobras lost both matches by close margins, and these are not the performances expected from the world’s foremost fast bowler.
“I didn’t play any cricket for a long time, something like six months, prior to India,” Steyn said. “I didn’t expect it to go unbelievably well. I am not a batter who can just go out there and score runs.
“I bowl better as the season progresses, and I hope I can turn it around this time.”
Besides a weary spell in the second innings of the final Test against Australia at the Wanderers, where Steyn was bothered by a back ailment, the Phalaborwa Express has looked full of venom again.
He was particularly good at Newlands in the first Test, and has made a habit of bowling well on his “new” home ground.
The spells against England and India in consecutive New Year Tests rank alongside the best fast bowling the picturesque venue has ever seen, and if Steyn produces anything remotely similar this evening, it could be a short night for the visitors.
“I enjoy bowling at Newlands. I don’t know if it’s the mountain, the smell of the hops, or what it is, but it’s great playing here. But that is probably what most cricketers feel about this beautiful ground,” he said.
Unfortunately for the Dolphins, they can’t only focus on Steyn.
Charl Langeveldt is the leading strike-bowler in the competition with 16 scalps, while left-arm spinner Robin Peterson, who opens the bowling for the Cobras, is another looming danger with 11 wickets already. Proteas all-rounder Jacques Kallis and captain Justin Kemp will bowl the remaining overs.
Proteas Test sensation Vernon Philander has been given more time to recuperate after his heavy workload in the Australian series. He will most likely only play again in the first Test against Sri Lanka on December 15.
Dolphins coach Graham Ford would kill for such luxuries. Instead, he has injury concerns.
Both his Proteas stars, Hashim Amla and Imran Tahir, are unavailable for tonight’s game.
Amla has a forearm injury and has been instructed not to play ahead of the first Sri Lanka Test, while Tahir is nursing a medical problem that will see him only resume training on Monday.
“Imran went for an endoscope today, but everything is fine. He should be available to start practising in four or five days. It was merely a precautionary measure,” Proteas doctor Mohammed Moosajee said on Tuesday. - Cape Times
TEAMS FOR NEWLANDS
Cobras: Richard Levi, Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis, Owais Shah, JP Duminy, Justin Ontong, Mark Boucher (w/k), Justin Kemp (capt), Robin Peterson, Dale Steyn, Charl Langeveldt. 12th man: Dane Piedt.
Dolphins (from): Imraan Khan, Loots Bosman, Khaya Zondo, Daryn Smit (w/k), David Miller, Cameron Delport, Cody Chetty, Kyle Abbott, Friedel de Wet, Dane Paterson, Mthokozisi Shezi, Keshav Maharaj.
Start: 3pm.
TV: SS2/CSN. - Cape Times