Dhaka – Morne Morkel believes his long-time friend and record-breaking teammate Dale Steyn is like “good red wine, he is going to get better with age”.
Steyn, 32, joined the exclusive 400 Test wicket club on Thursday here in the second Test against Bangladesh when he had Tamim Iqbal caught at first slip by captain Hashim Amla. The “Phalaborwa Express” was the joint-fastest seam bowler alongside New Zealand’s Sir Richard Hadlee to achieve the milestone. They both played 80 Tests.
Steyn (3/30) is also second on the all-time South African bowler’s record list with only former captain Shaun Pollock ahead of him with 419 Test wickets. Steyn’s wickets helped restrict the hosts to 246/8 after they had elected to bat.
"Dale's been unbelievable. He has led this attack for years now and he has been the No.1 Test bowler for many years. I am happy for him," Morkel said.
Prior to this tour of Bangladesh there were many concerns that Steyn was fast approaching the twilight of his career after a disappointing World Cup and his own comments of that he only had “10 000 or 20 000 deliveries” left.
The zip in Steyn’s magnificent wrist was back though here at the Shere Bangla National Stadium and proved that he was not lacking anything in terms of energy when he came back late in the afternoon to remove a well-set Mahmudullah and also Mohammad Shahid with the final ball of the day.
"He is a guy who really works hard and is always looking to improve, always looking to shape the ball from different angles. He is like a good red wine, he is going to get better with age. There is plenty more in the tank for him," Morkel said.
Steyn received solid support from off-spinner JP Duminy 3/27 throughout the day. Despite Duminy only being the seventh bowler called on by captain Amla, he once again proved that his all-round skills were invaluable to the Proteas’ cause.
Duminy created the all-important breakthrough for the second wicket when he had Mominul Haque (40, 87 balls, 6x4) elegantly caught behind the stumps by debutant wicket-keeper Dane Vilas. The off-spinner struck a couple of overs later again when he trapped opener Imrul Kayes plumb in front for a patient 30 off 93 balls.
Mahmudullah and captain Mushfiqur Rahim tried to rebuild the Bangladeshi innings with 94 runs for the fourth wicket, but it was Steyn that ended this potentially threatening partnership.
Part-time Dean Elgar further opened the door to the home side’s brittle middle-order when Mushfiqur (65, 125 balls, 7x4) offered Vilas’s his second catch of the innings.
The home side were in free fall now and Morne Morkel, Duminy and Steyn ensured the advantage was firmly with South Africa when stumps were drawn as they accounted for Shakib-Al-Hasan, Liton Das and Shahid before the close.