Sehwag vs Steyn "Steyn hopes for lively pitches against India"

[dr_tooley]

Dale Steyn has said the preparation of result-oriented pitches will be the key to South Africa maintaining their supremacy against India at home during the upcoming Test series. South Africa begin their home summer against India at Centurion on December 16, their first assignment after a drawn series against Pakistan in the UAE. "It will be really sad if we have similar wickets to the ones we had when we played Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates," Steyn told ESPNcricinfo. "This is a big series between two good sides and we need results to keep people interested." The battle between the No. 1 and 2 ranked Test sides is expected to be influenced by the conditions in South Africa, with the visitors warned to anticipate bounce and pace from the pitches. Steyn saw the playing field as more level with India's batsmen, whose traditional weakness on tour has been the short ball, becoming more experienced in dealing with lively surfaces. "Everybody has played enough around the world now for no conditions to be totally unknown," he said. "The Indian batsmen have proven themselves over the years and the pitches will be a test for both of us: our bowlers against their batters and their bowlers against our batters." That's not to say Steyn doesn't think South Africa hold a slight edge. "I still think that our bowlers tend to bowl better in these conditions. And it's the same with our batsmen. They are more used to these conditions." India already know that and are preparing for the barrage of bouncers that will be hurled their way at a week-long training camp at Gary Kirsten's academy in Cape Town. The memory of Steyn's career-best match haul of 10-108, which included 7-51 in the first innings on a particularly responsive pitch in Nagpur in February, will be fresh in their minds. Although that type of wicket is Steyn's favourite, he doesn't expect to see a strip as inviting as that all the time. "Every bowler wants a green top but we don't get them that often. Pitches around the world favour batters these days, I don't know if it's because they get used so much and they are worn out. The truth is that you rarely find a wicket that offers bowlers enough to get 20 wickets quickly. We have to work for our wickets." Steyn singled out the Indian opening partnership as the one that will take the most toil to break. "A guy like Sachin, with the reputation that he is has, is always going to be an important wicket. But for me, their opening pair is terrifying, with Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag." Without giving away any of the strategies he has been working on, Steyn hinted that South Africa have been brainstorming their bowling tactics . "The important thing for us will be to bowl to plans and to stick to those plans." A big part of those plans will be the role of the two new-ball bowlers, Steyn and Morne Morkel. "We know if we do well, the team has a good chance of doing well," Steyn said. Steyn has enjoyed success against India, taking 32 wickets in seven Tests. Morkel has 15 from six against India and together they've shared 206 wickets in 24 matches. "We've played a lot of cricket together at the Titans and now with the national side and we are always fighting between us for wickets. That really helps us because we are each motivation for the other." The competition between the two is stiff with Steyn currently lying third on the 2010 list of wicket-takers, with 45 scalps, and Morkel sixth with 37. Steyn has no clear favourite among the three surfaces the Tests will be played on, although he does lean towards his home ground, Newlands, as the one that will offer the best cricketing experience. "All three wickets are great. I grew up playing in Pretoria, so I know exactly what to expect from that pitch. Now I live in Cape Town and it's just an unbelievable place to play cricket. South Africa's record is great at Newlands and to have the third test here will be good." Steyn may be surprised to learn that, of the 45 Tests South Africa played at Newlands, they've won 17 and lost 19. Since readmission, which is probably the period Steyn was thinking about, South Africa won 14 out of the 21 matches played there, losing only three. http://www.espncricinfo.com/south-africa-v-india-2010/content/story/490851.html

[King Tendulkar]

Bring it on. ZK/Sree and Ishant are licking their lips at the prospect.

[jusarrived]

Steyn Vs Viru should be really interesting , both the very best at what they do . yeah , SA should worry about handling our pace attack though .

[dr_tooley]

For me Sehwag vs Steyn will define this series. In the articles above although Dale Steyn alludes to the "openers", I'm pretty sure what he means is Sehwag. He is the one player who can take the South African attack apart single-handed. If he gets away, Steyn is aware there is very little he or any other bowler can do to stop him. Likewise if Steyn can get Sehwag out early, he may rip through the rest of the order. His battle is epitomised by the First Test India vs South Africa. Then Sehwag blazed to 109. Hit the ball so hard it split. The ball was changed. Sehwag got out and the side collapsed. Even with Sachin's century in the second inning the match was lost. In the Second test, Sehwag annihilated SA scoring 165, and supplemented by centuries from Sachin, VVS and Dhoni we won by an innings. For me this confrontation is quite simply the best Batsman currently in world cricket vs the Best Bowler. The outcome will define the series. If Sehwag scores big, we will break through the "Final Frontier!"

[Serani]

I have a feeling Morne Morkel will have a superb series, his natural bounce and pretty sharp pace will no doubt trouble some Indian batsman. Steyn is steyn, will no doubt run through the opposition at least once in a series.

[dr_tooley]

I have a feeling Morne Morkel will have a superb series, his natural bounce and pretty sharp pace will no doubt trouble some Indian batsman. Steyn is steyn, will no doubt run through the opposition at least once in a series.

I somehow don't think Sehwag will just be a spectator.

[gult]

This is the REAL test series to watch after a long time (sorry, ashes is not as good as expected). Thanks to Ten Sports?, we don't need to hear LSRK's stupid commentary. Yeah, livelier surfaces are most welcome.

[ShahidAfridi]

I doubt India will win this series, winning in SA is really tough.

[putrevus]

This is the REAL test series to watch after a long time (sorry' date=' ashes is not as good as expected). Thanks to Ten Sports?, we don't need to hear LSRK's stupid commentary. Yeah, livelier surfaces are most welcome.[/quote'] LSRK was saying Amir Saheba made a right call on LBW even on replays where everyone could see Rohit sharma clear edge was caught by keeper. He has become so useless .

[dial_100]

For me Sehwag vs Steyn will define this series. In the articles above although Dale Steyn alludes to the "openers", I'm pretty sure what he means is Sehwag. He is the one player who can take the South African attack apart single-handed. If he gets away, Steyn is aware there is very little he or any other bowler can do to stop him. Likewise if Steyn can get Sehwag out early, he may rip through the rest of the order. His battle is epitomised by the First Test India vs South Africa. Then Sehwag blazed to 109. Hit the ball so hard it split. The ball was changed. Sehwag got out and the side collapsed. Even with Sachin's century in the second inning the match was lost. In the Second test, Sehwag annihilated SA scoring 165, and supplemented by centuries from Sachin, VVS and Dhoni we won by an innings. For me this confrontation is quite simply the best Batsman currently in world cricket vs the Best Bowler. The outcome will define the series. If Sehwag scores big, we will break through the "Final Frontier!"

I didn't notice our state like this??? Sehwag being the most important member of the team, we have 4 other who score @ average of 50+. Over dependancy on one player is thing of past. VS can play w/o any pressure for that very reason that he knows he has 3 best batsman to back him up. Our upcoming tallent in Pujara/Raina are also doing well. Dale Styne and Morkel will have to fight for every single wkt. First two quick wickets can put pressure but there are others who are more than capable to handle it.

[dr_tooley]

I didn't notice our state like this??? Sehwag being the most important member of the team, we have 4 other who score @ average of 50+. Over dependancy on one player is thing of past. VS can play w/o any pressure for that very reason that he knows he has 3 best batsman to back him up. Our upcoming tallent in Pujara/Raina are also doing well. Dale Styne and Morkel will have to fight for every single wkt. First two quick wickets can put pressure but there are others who are more than capable to handle it.

I can remember very few Tests in the last 2 years where India has won when Sehwag has not pummeled the bowler. He his currently what Ponting was 2003-2008, Sachin was 1997-2003 and Richards was 1975-1985. He is quite simply a man that can win a Test on his own. In that, currently, he stands alone. The only one who is close is Pieterson. Please don't take this as any slight towards Sachin or the other greats. But it is amazing that when Sachin is having the season he is, that anyone can be overshadowing him. The Centre of Gravity in the Indian line up has changed and in his article Dale Steyn acknowledges this.

[putrevus]

Sehwag in last 15 tests over a year has scored 1793 runs at avg of 78 with 7 100s and 8 fifties those fifties have one 99 and 96 in them. He has failed to reach 50 in one of those 15 tests.No wonder he has scored more than any batsman during this period.He used to score one big hundred per series earlier but now he has become more consistent. India has won 9 of those 15 tests and lost just 2 but he scored 100s in those two tests.If he and Gambhir can give India good starts India will be tough to beat.

[putrevus]

I can remember very few Tests in the last 2 years where India has won when Sehwag has not pummeled the bowler. He his currently what Ponting was 2003-2008, Sachin was 1997-2003 and Richards was 1975-1985. He is quite simply a man that can win a Test on his own. In that, currently, he stands alone. The only one who is close is Pieterson. Please don't take this as any slight towards Sachin or the other greats. But it is amazing that when Sachin is having the season he is, that anyone can be overshadowing him. The Centre of Gravity in the Indian line up has changed and in his article Dale Steyn acknowledges this.

that is so true but his detractors outside India would be labeling these runs scored on subcontinent pitches for him shut them up completely, he needs to score runs in SA to shut them up completely.

[fineleg]

BCCI missed a trick by not having practice matches. While Kirsten can throw a thousand balls at our batsmen, nothing like playing in a practice match or two. Usually Indians start slow, and then they are in catchup mode by mid series. We need our batsmen to click right from the word go, if we are to grab the series. Hope GK Performance academy can make up for the loss of the practice matches. And even this early visit, GK had to beg and plead the babus of bcci. Stupid BCCI :poink:

[dr_tooley]

BCCI missed a trick by not having practice matches. While Kirsten can throw a thousand balls at our batsmen, nothing like playing in a practice match or two. Usually Indians start slow, and then they are in catchup mode by mid series. We need our batsmen to click right from the word go, if we are to grab the series. Hope GK Performance academy can make up for the loss of the practice matches. And even this early visit, GK had to beg and plead the babus of bcci. Stupid BCCI :poink:

Good point.

[dr_tooley]

that is so true but his detractors outside India would be labeling these runs scored on subcontinent pitches for him shut them up completely' date=' he needs to score runs in SA to shut them up completely.[/quote'] Let hope and pray.

[dial_100]

BCCI missed a trick by not having practice matches. While Kirsten can throw a thousand balls at our batsmen, nothing like playing in a practice match or two. Usually Indians start slow, and then they are in catchup mode by mid series. We need our batsmen to click right from the word go, if we are to grab the series. Hope GK Performance academy can make up for the loss of the practice matches. And even this early visit, GK had to beg and plead the babus of bcci. Stupid BCCI :poink:

Well the tour game could get washed out and then the team has to play directly the test. So this is not happening for the first time. But it would have been nice to have game or two at the beginning.

[Jersey #10]

Can't choose between the two but should be a very intense contest.

[dial_100]

I can remember very few Tests in the last 2 years where India has won when Sehwag has not pummeled the bowler. He his currently what Ponting was 2003-2008, Sachin was 1997-2003 and Richards was 1975-1985. He is quite simply a man that can win a Test on his own. In that, currently, he stands alone. The only one who is close is Pieterson. Please don't take this as any slight towards Sachin or the other greats. But it is amazing that when Sachin is having the season he is, that anyone can be overshadowing him. The Centre of Gravity in the Indian line up has changed and in his article Dale Steyn acknowledges this.

And how many of test you can point me to where Sehwag got out in the first 10 overs and were bundled out cheaply??? Comeon, even though Sehwag is our triumph card, we have equally good 4 more players. When we need to bat 90 overs to save the game, we dont see sehwag batting through the innings. So my point is, Dale Steyn may or may not get Sehwag and others out but just because Sehwag fails, doesnot warrant failure of others. Thats all I am saying. Whether you or Steyn disagree with it does not change that fact. The other 4 put big price on their wkt.

[Roshanrocks]

can anyone tell me when did our current set of batsmen encounter a seamer friendly track with good set of opposition pace bowlers the last time? :hmmm: i hope its not too long or our batmsen may well be taken by surprise