One of the best bowlers in the history of Test cricket, Dale Steyn, has given his advice to the Indian pace battery on how to claim their first series win in South Africa. Steyn explained in length what visitor pacers need to do to win a Test series in South Africa. With the IND vs SA Test series starting on December 26, it’s safe to say the highest wicket-taker for the Proteas is worth a listen.
What the Indian pace battery needs to do to win IND vs SA Test series
The right-arm pacer stated that the ball used in South Africa (Kookaburra) is quite a bit different than the one that is used in India (SG). He added that the Kookaburra ball gets soft after a while, and that’s what troubles the visiting pacers the most. This is where the Indian bowlers need to step up and grab the bull by its horns.
“The new ball tends to do quite a bit, and then there is a period where it goes dead a little bit. The key thing for India is to find guys that can find ways during that phase.” Steyn said during a show with ESPNcricinfo.
On point with the tactics
Steyn stated that bowlers have to be on point when it comes to their tactics. Once the ball goes soft, bowlers have to mix things up. While one has to take risks and pitch the ball up to create changes, one bowler has to do the hard yards. The pacer suggested that one bowler has to bowl short to ensure the South African batters are never comfortable.
Steyn also suggested the use of unconventional fields. In and out of fields with fielders on the boundary, use leg slips and short legs to tinker with the batter’s mind. He also said that bowlers should not be worried about giving away too many runs if they manage to pick wickets. Goes to runs at the cost of wickets is more than acceptable in South African conditions.
“In South Africa, you can use the short ball. There’s a lot of bounce. You may have to sacrifice somewhere in your slip cordon. Maybe it’s a leg slip or a guy under the lid,” he said, referring to how visiting pacers need to make something out of nothing to do well in South African conditions.
Indian bowling lineup and their record in South Africa
- Jasprit Bumrah (26 wickets @ 24.38)
- Mohammed Siraj (3 wickets @ 51)
- Mukesh Kumar (Yet to play)
- Prasidh Krishna (Yet to play)
- Shardul Thakur (12 wickets @ 19.08)
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