South Africa remained unbeaten in the group stage with Steyn taking three wickets for 19 runs in six overs against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka. Given spin being touted as the main threat, Steyn’s performance comes as impressive. The fast-bowler said there was no reason to adjust his game no matter what kind of surface is laid out at the R Premadasa Stadium where South Africa play either Pakistan or Bangladesh.
“After playing in England on the slow decks I think we adjusted our game quite nicely,” said Steyn. “So if we go to Colombo it won’t hit us as like a train smash. My game is not going to change, I’m still going to bowl 145 or 150kph, whatever I can get it up to, whether it’s a slow deck or not, it’s still going to be tough.”
Despite making his Twenty20 international debut in 2007, Steyn has only played in 25 matches due to the need to find some time to rest during an exacting international programme.
“One of the main reasons I don’t play a lot of Twenty20s is purely because of the amount of other cricket that I play — one day and Tests. I’m really committed to the Proteas doing well. If I had to go and play, you’d find guys like Wayne Parnell and maybe Lonwabo Tsotsobe, players that don’t play as much IPL cricket like I do, missing out.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 25th, 2012.
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