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If South African spearhead Dale Steyn had not been fired up before the first Test starting in Brisbane on Friday, it seems the world No.1 bowler could well be now – and Australia only have themselves to blame.
The usually reserved Proteas coach Gary Kirsten could not help but bite when reminded of rival mentor Mickey Arthur’s assessment of Steyn after injecting left-hander Rob Quiney into the Australian side for the injured Shane Watson.
“It’s no secret that Dale (Steyn) hasn’t bowled well to left-handers,” Arthur said on Monday.
But he quickly added: “Let me just rephrase that. He’s bowled a lot better to right-handers than to left-handers.”
However, it seems the damage has been done.
Asked if Arthur’s comment would motivate Steyn, a smiling Kirsten said: “Put it this way, we will use it as good motivation.”
As a result, Kirsten was reluctant to provide any extra incentive to an Australian side hoping to snatch the world No.1 Test ranking from South Africa this summer.
Kirsten got back into character when questions lingered on his feared pace battery that’s expected to relish a juicy Gabba deck in the first Test.
Steyn, who has snared 287 Test wickets at 23.5, leads an attack that Proteas fast bowling great Allan Donald has rated South Africa’s “best ever”.
A coy Kirsten was not so sure.
“I am mindful of saying it is the best ever – there’s been a lot of Test cricket around in the last 100 years,” he smiled.
“They are an experienced bowling attack, there is good variety within the attack and most importantly they back themselves in certain situations.”
While the focus has been on Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander – the same pace attack that routed Australia for 47 in Cape Town a year ago – Kirsten seemed keen to inject the spin of Imran Tahir.
“A lot will depend on the wicket and what it is come Friday but looking at it now it looks like a pretty good wicket,” he said.
“A spinner always plays a role in a Test match in my experience. Any coach will tell you that they would like a spinner in the team.”
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