Steyn targets Warner and Smith’s heads
South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn says he will be aiming to remove any Australia batsman, but is particularly eager to dismiss David Warner and Steve Smith.
He called them the ‘head of the snake’ in that once they were removed, the rest of the order would follow in the upcoming Test series.
Steyn has happy memories of playing in Perth, the venue for the first Test, and told the media on the weekend that he was keen to cause chaos.
Steyn said: “I want to make life difficult for everyone. I think the captain is the main guy.
“The biggest guys that are going to score runs for them are probably Dave (Warner) and Steve (Smith).
“So if you can cut off the head of the snake, the rest of the body tends to fall. We’ve done that in the past.
“We’ve tried to attack the captain because he is the leader and cause a bit of chaos there, and sometimes it does affect the rest of the guys.”
He elaborated, via a nautical metaphor, on his desire to take Smith’s wicket: “I think the Aussie captain, they lead the attack.
“From my history of looking at Australian cricket you look at guys that are great players like Steve Waugh.
“He stands out, I don’t think many people can name a team underneath him but you remember Steve Waugh.
“You can remember Ricky Ponting, and Michael Clarke and then Steve Smith falls into that bracket.
“The moment you can get hold of your captain the rest of the players, in my opinion, rely heavily on him.
“He leads the ship so when you pull the plug on that kind of ship and he’s holding it you can sink it.
“It’s not very easy but there’s a way to sink it.”
Latest
-
NewsSilverwood unlikely to try Stokes-Buttler IPL job swap for England
Ben Stokes was promoted to the top of the order and Jos Buttler slotted in down at number five for Rajasthan Royals recently.
-
NewsRassie upbeat ahead of T20 series despite contrasting build-ups
South Africa have not played together since March while England had a full international programme over the summer.
-
NewsTendulkar suggests plan to stifle Smith
Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar has offered some advice to India’s bowlers on how to deal with Australia’s star batsman Steven Smith.
-
NewsIndia suffer double blow as Rohit and Ishant ruled out
India will have to do without the services of Rohit Sharma and Ishant Sharma during the first two Tests against Australia.
-
NewsSam Curran stars as England get creative in internal T20 practice match in Paarl
Jos Buttler’s XI coasted to victory over Eoin Morgan’s team, with a second target then hastily set to gain more practice time.
-
NewsKagiso Rabada reiterates BLM support as South Africa opt against taking knee
The Proteas will not take a knee during the forthcoming series against England.
-
NewsOlly Stone ready to ‘bash down the door’ after England recall
The Warwickshire paceman was included in the one-day international squad against South Africa and impressed in an intra-squad warm-up game.
-
NewsSam Billings striving to make sure he keeps place in ‘phenomenal’ England side
Billings and Joe Root put on 103 for Jos Buttler’s XI in a 40-over intra-squad warm-up victory in Cape Town.
-
NewsJoe Root hits decisive 77 as Jos Buttler’s team triumph in England warm-up match
The 23-man squad was split in two for the 40-over practice match in Cape Town, with Team Eoin Morgan challenging Team Buttler.
-
NewsJoe Root hits 77 as England warm-up in Cape Town ahead of South Africa series
England split their squad into two teams for a 40-over practice match.