Cricket......

[Stretch]

Must say I thought steyns days were done

[SwissVan]

Quack quack

['Dale]

The greatest quick’ of the modern era?

Of the past century?

 

http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/24128428/dale-steyn-greatest-fast-bowler-century?platform=amp&__twitter_impression=true

Edited December 26, 2018 by 'Dale

[Joe De Beer]

Based on what evidence?

 

Surely at the very least Dale deserves this series to show that he still is the class act we all know him to be.

For sure he will play the series if he remains fit. It his form needs to improve else Vern and Ngidi will force him out the side.

 

So no evidence, just my opinion

[Shebeen]

I think 500 is definitely Dale's aim. If he can stay fit and keep getting his wickets at his incredible strike rate then it should be a big possibility for him to get there. He is an incredible class act.

He actually had an amazing record of being injury free, until about 3/4 Years ago.

 

Who knows how long he can stay both healthy and effective. Forget age, he looks like he will last longer than Vern who got a bit of a boep this winter.

 

Rabada is already our #1 bowler and ngidi is also early 20s. Our stocks are good and hopefully steyn can pass on his knowledge as a mentor during this period.

[Joe De Beer]

The greatest quick’ of the modern era?

Of the past century?

 

http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/24128428/dale-steyn-greatest-fast-bowler-century?platform=amp&__twitter_impression=true

Strike and economy rate is fantastic so tough to argue with that. Also played along other good bowlers that competed for wickets.

[Mntboy]

For sure he will play the series if he remains fit. It his form needs to improve else Vern and Ngidi will force him out the side.

 

So no evidence, just my opinion

I am hoping he finds his form and confidence as the series goes on. As Juan pointed out his fitness has in general been exceptional and he managed to get through the entire MSL without incident. I think a lot of us misunderstood the seriousness of the injury he picked up in Aus. The doctor thought he had been in a motor accident apparently. The road to fitness for him has been a long one. If he can get his form back it'd be hard to not pick him.

[Shebeen]

I think 500 is definitely Dale's aim. If he can stay fit and keep getting his wickets at his incredible strike rate then it should be a big possibility for him to get there. He is an incredible class act.

I think he would need to manage his schedule and expectations.

Does he want to be a T20 specialist in his closing years, not being picked for the IPL might have answered that.

 

For test cricket, 2019 is mostly an ODI focus, where after we host India and then England here. If he had any test goal, I don't think it would be 500, but rather the world test final in June 2021. If we qualified he'd be about 38.

[Mntboy]

He actually had an amazing record of being injury free, until about 3/4 Years ago.

 

Who knows how long he can stay both healthy and effective. Forget age, he looks like he will last longer than Vern who got a bit of a boep this winter.

 

Rabada is already our #1 bowler and ngidi is also early 20s. Our stocks are good and hopefully steyn can pass on his knowledge as a mentor during this period.

He is the best bowler I've seen ever and Mark Nicholas, who played and captained Malcolm Marshall reckons he (Steyn) is the best there's been. Perhaps ever. Even at 80% he is still better than most at a 100%.

[Mntboy]

Strike and economy rate is fantastic so tough to argue with that. Also played along other good bowlers that competed for wickets.

Which is why l pointed to Mark Nicholas' view on Steyn. For me there's very little doubt as to Steyn's abilities and what he can do when on song. Clearly not on song as yet and I hope he'll get there soon. Based on the recent interview I read he certainly has the desire for playing for the Proteas for a while still.

 

And also if he doesn't then it's still worth it to have him in the squad mentoring the new/young guys and helping KG shoulder the responsibility of being the leader of the pack.

[Mntboy]

He actually had an amazing record of being injury free, until about 3/4 Years ago.

 

Who knows how long he can stay both healthy and effective. Forget age, he looks like he will last longer than Vern who got a bit of a boep this winter.

 

Rabada is already our #1 bowler and ngidi is also early 20s. Our stocks are good and hopefully steyn can pass on his knowledge as a mentor during this period.

In a recent interview he claims that he feels 23 and essentially inferred that he is as fit as he needs to be. Let's hope that is indeed the case.

 

Fully agree with you regarding our bowling stock pile. In KG, Ngidi and Olivier we have a very talented group of quicks with the MSL showing that Nortje, Sipamla and Pongolo all have ability to do well as well. Where I feel we lack is in batting talent. At least ito Red ball cricket. Far too many are great at the shorter formats but wholly inconsistent at Long form cricket. And that's based on a nonchalant following of our domestic stuff.

Edited December 26, 2018 by Mntboy

[Shebeen]

In a recent interview he claims that he feels 23 and essentially inferred that he is as fit as he needs to be. Let's hope that is indeed the case.

 

Fully agree with you regarding our bowling stock pile. In KG, Ngidi and Olivier we have a very talented group of quicks with the MSL showing that Nortje, Sipamla and Pongolo all have ability to do well as well. Where I feel we lack is in batting talent. At least ito Red ball cricket. Far too many are great at the shorter formats but wholly inconsistent at Long form cricket. And that's based on a nonchalant following of our domestic stuff.

Agreed. Huge gap for the next ab/hash/kallis. Not sure where all the runs will come from, of the young crop only markram looks like he'll be a banker.

 

Tdb and temba only got a starting spot because no one else is bashing the door down

[Mntboy]

Match evenly poised. Just how important will Steyn and KG's effort with the bat prove to be? I guess it depends on how Pakistan bats in their second dig. Wouldn't want to chase anything more than 230. We will need to bowl well during the afternoon and try and have them 5/6 down by close of play.

[Long Wheel Base]

So another 5 day that could potentially be over within 3 days.

[Joe De Beer]

KG and Olivier setting us up nicely for a win tomorrow. Doing what Steyn did back in the day

[Vetplant]

Duane doing the most with an opportunity handed to him due to Philander getting injured. Gonna be tough to leave him out of the 11 for the next test with those bowling figures.

 

So who misses out when Philander is fit? One could argue Dale Steyn, but I love the guy, even if he is not on top form currently. Play 4 seamers maybe?