Dale Steyn shines on ODI comeback as Proteas win series against Zimbabwe

Sudhir Gupta 23:32 03/10/2018
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  • Steyn (r) hit a fifty and picked up two wickets against Zimbabwe on Wednesday.

    Pace ace Dale Steyn made a sensational return to ODI cricket as he starred with bat and ball to help South Africa beat Zimbabwe by 120 runs in the second game at the Mangaung Oval on Wednesday.

    Playing his first ODI in two years, Steyn top-scored with a career-best 60 as the Proteas struggled to 198 – after being 101-7 at one point – before capturing the first two wickets as Zimbabwe were shot out for 78. South Africa thus took a winning 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

    However, it was leg-spinner Imran Tahir who made the biggest impact with the ball, claiming a superb 6-24, including a hat-trick, as Zimbabwe failed to get going with the bat on a tough Bloemfontein pitch.

    Steyn first rescued South Africa with the bat and, more importantly, bowled with purpose with the new ball. He bowled with good pace and his 2-19 from six overs was one of his finest bowling efforts for many years.

    Steyn said a stint with English county side Hampshire helped him hit the ground running.

    “I’ve been playing cricket and I feel cricket-fit,” he said. “The wicket was quite tough but it was nice that the opening bowlers had bowled out quite a lot of overs,” said Steyn who starred in a 75-run eighth wicket stand with Andile Phehlukwayo (28).

    Steyn hit eight fours and a six during his 85-ball knock. Steyn hit the mark with his seventh ball when he trapped Solomon Mire leg before wicket and then dismissed Craig Ervine caught at short midwicket.

    “I had a nice breeze behind me and there was pace in the wicket. The wicket was a little up and down. If you run in on a wicket like that things will happen,” Steyn added.

    Tahir tore the Zimbabwe line-up apart, dismissing Sean Williams, Elton Chigumbura and Peter Moor off successive deliveries.

    “The pitch wasn’t ideal,” said South African captain JP Duminy. “The way Dale applied himself was exceptional and to see him bowling as quickly as he has is a really good sign for us.”

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