Johannesburg – Morne Morkel will be the one to watch according to fellow strike bowler Dale Steyn, ahead of the third Test starting at Newlands, in Cape Town, on Saturday.
Despite Steyn playing a pivotal role in bundling out Australia in the fourth innings of the second Test in Port Elizabeth, he said Morkel was in the best form of the Proteas attack.
“It's nice to lead the attack and take lots of wickets,” said Steyn in Cape Town, on Thursday.
“But things are going Morne's way at the moment. He's bowling extremely quickly, and it wouldn't surprise me if he makes the headlines.”
Morkel was able to extract prodigious bounce, with speeds around the 150 kilometres an hour mark, in a match South Africa won convincingly in four days to square the series 1-1.
“I thought he was the guy that really started things off for us in that first innings in Port Elizabeth,” Steyn said.
“Hopefully as a combined seam attack we can get 20 wickets. I'd love to come out here and take 10, but I wouldn't be surprised if someone like Morne does.”
Following their commanding performance in the second Test, Steyn said the Proteas would look to replicate their success.
“Against Australia, it's one of the biggest teams you want to play against,” he said.
“We've played two Test matches and it's one all, and we're here to fight it all out for one Test match. It goes too quickly, those feelings are great.
“When you win it's amazing, that kind of inspires you. Hopefully in a couple days time we can have those feelings again, because that's what we live for and play for.”
When asked if he was angry when he bowled, Steyn said it was more about aggression.
“I'm not really angry. It's more like focused aggression,” he said.
“I have to be in that state of mind to produce spells like that. If I was running in thinking of cuddly bears I'd probably be dishing out half-volleys and hamburgers for guys to smash.”
Steyn said he personally looked forward to his best performance of the series.
“The first Test I rocked up on day one and I wasn't feeling very well,” he said.
“I didn't get the wickets I wanted. I was nowhere near as effective as Mitchell was.
“I hope I get better, with more overs under the belt I seam to bowl better. Hopefully by Saturday I'll be hitting my straps even better.” – Sapa