Dale Steyn does not want the standoff between the BCCI and CSA to result in a curtailed series between India and South Africa later this year as the speedster says the two teams share a “great cricketing rivalry”.
“It would be quite nice if India come to South Africa. There has always been a great rivalry between the two sides,” said Steyn.
The BCCI’s decision to invite the West Indies to tour India in November effectively means the schedule for India’s tour to South Africa will have to be shortened. A final decision in this regard will only be taken after the BCCI’s Annual General Meeting in Chennai on September 29.
Steyn said he is eagerly waiting for his duel with India’s new batting sensation Shikhar Dhawan when the country tour the Proteas for Test and ODI series. “Shikhar (Dhawan) is in some good form right now. It will be nice to have that contest especially now that I know him well. It will be a great battle between good friends as well as strength and strength because he is batting really well at the moment,” Steyn said of his Sunrisers Hyderabad teammate.
Coming back from an injury, Steyn said he is working hard to get back to top shape ahead of South Africa’s domestic season. “I haven’t played for a while or done gym work. But otherwise, I am not really conservative in my approach. I am not afraid of getting injured again. I’ve just got to remember that probably it’s just a little bit of stiffness that has crept in,” he said ahead of his team’s match against Trinadad and Tobago here tomorrow.
Champions league is Steyn’s first competitive outing since he picked up a side strain and groin injury during the Champions Trophy in England towards the middle of June. “I am just taking it easy. There is no point in going full tilt from the first ball; you have to build it up. I feel like every game that I have played so far on the tournament, I have gotten better,” he said.
Steyn said Champions league has provided him with the “perfect platform” to get back in shape. “You get a couple of hours of competitive cricket and you can stand in the field for 20 overs. It’s not exactly the ideal preparation for Test match cricket but I think it’s a good start for me.
“I don’t think you want to jump straight into the shark tank with the longer version, it’s quite difficult, so this is about getting perfect,” he said.
Dhoni praises Raina, Huss
Ranchi: Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni praised Suresh Raina and Michael Hussey for setting up Chennai Super Kings’ comfortable four-wicket win over the Titans.
“It was a difficult target to chase, but Raina and Hussey batted really well. We were just looking to see how the first ten overs were going to turn out as the ball would be drier and could swing. But they saw through that period well and after that they attacked and put the bad balls away which is very important during a chase like this,” said Dhoni at the post-match presentation ceremony.
“What really pleased me most was when Hussey and Raina got out and came back into the dressing room, they were really upset and that really says a lot,” he added.
Dhoni said his bowlers need to tighten up things as they progress into the tournament.
“I was a little worried initially after we’d given away so many runs, but we’ll have to tighten up. Our bowlers need to tighten up. Even saving six or seven runs makes a difference because say its the 20th over, it could be the difference between chasing 11 runs or 18,” he said.
We gave away too many extras: Davids
Ranchi: Titans Captain Henry Davids has blamed his team’s loss on the extras that his bowlers conceded during the game here. “(We gave away) so many extras, something we have to work out (on it),” Davids said.
“We put in a very good score. So we have to go, reflect and what we need to do and come back strong,” he added.Davids said dew was also a factor as the wet ball made it difficult for the bowlers, particularly the spinners.
“Our bowlers have been bowling really well, and there were a couple of nicks through the slips,” he said.The Titans gave away 24 runs in wides yesterday and batsman A B de Villiers, who top-scored for his team with a 77-run knock, shared his captain’s sentiments.
“The guys tried to bowl with a very attacking mindset - a straight line, trying to get them out - but the wet ball made it very difficult,” he said.
“The field was quite wet and so the ball got wet very early on, which meant it skidded on and made it easier for the batsmen. Our bowlers tried everything they could - all the variations - but nothing worked,” he added.