That wasn’t me; Dale Steyn surprises himself with maiden ODI fifty

Proteas paceman Dale Steyn was left in disbelief after he hit a counterattacking 60 to help South Africa reach 198 all out in their second ODI against Zimbabwe in Bloemfontein.
The pitch appeared to be playing tricks on the batsmen who all struggled, though question marks hang over the dismissals of some of the top order.
The quick bowler making his return to ODI cricket after nearly two years out of the format found himself at the crease at 101 for 7 and made 60 of the further 98 runs added for the final three wickets.
The effort has given the Proteas a chance of defending the score and clinching the series.
When asked about the innings, Steyn laughed: “That wasn’t me! I thought 220 would have been a nice score for us…198 we’ll take it. We’ll have to take it.”
Read: Mulder ruled out of ODI series with ankle injury
The number nine didn’t expect to play such an integral part with the bat but was eager to stress that the surface became easier to bat on as the ball got older.
He said: “I was discussing the lunch and the next thing I knew I was in to bat! Myself and Andile decided we’ll take it at four an over batting five overs at a time. Doing that we’d get 20 and work out way to 150 and then 180 and 200. So we’re there and thereabouts, gonna have to bowl well.
“I think the batters always felt like there was always one to get them there but as the ball got older , it got a little bit easier. I found that the longer I batted, you could take dots. But that’s because I batted lower. The openers and the middle order batsmen need to score runs. So it kind of worked out with the bat but it’s a tough wicket to bat on.
When the injury-plagued quick was asked if he was nervous about bowling in an international again he dismissed any concerns.
Steyn responded: “Not really. I’ve been a playing a bit of cricket off late. All the nerves have settled. I just hope we can string it together with the ball.”
Zimbabwe need 199 runs to win the second ODI against South Africa.
Latest
-
News
James Anderson: There are unlikely to be many more Test players in their forties
Anderson made his debut against Zimbabwe in May 2003 and has gone on to claim 657 wickets in 172 Tests.
-
News
English cricket needs to react as world game continues to shift – Andrew Strauss
Speaking ahead of this week’s Lord’s Test against South Africa, Strauss acknowledged the established order was under threat.
-
News
James Anderson is as happy as he has felt in an England dressing room for years
Anderson is enjoying the culture created by new head coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes.
-
The Hundred
Will Jacks century leads Oval Invincibles to comfortable victory
Jacks hammered an unbeaten 108 from 48 balls.
-
News
Darren Stevens ‘looking forward to the ‘next chapter’ as his Kent innings ends
The all-rounder will leave Kent after 17 years at the end of the season.
-
News
Darren Stevens announces his retirement at the age of 46
The all-rounder’s 17-year stint at Kent will end later this year.
-
The Hundred
Hundred history-maker Will Smeed: ‘I very much still want to play everything’
The rising star of the white-ball game could be on England’s radar.
-
The Hundred
Lauren Winfield-Hill stars as Oval Invincibles begin title defence with big win
The home side defeated the Northern Superchargers by nine wickets.
-
News
Sam Curran the main man as Oval Invincibles beat Northern Superchargers
Curran scored 60 in his side’s three-wicket win at the Kia Oval.