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Cape Town - South Africa batsman Faf du Plessis says paceman Dale Steyn is determined to prove he is still worthy of an ODI place, and that being left out in the Caribbean earlier this year made him crankier than normal.
Du Plessis, who is captaining the ODI side against Australia in AB de Villiers' absence, feels that a 'cranky' Steyn is the best kind, and that the Aussies will feel how much the number one-ranked Test bowler is still enjoying ODIs.
The paceman returned to the side last month against New Zealand in the Tests, after months of injuries and being 'rested' from the ODI side, and was it was immediately clear that he had lost none of his fire.
Du Plessis said: “Dale’s personality is sometimes a bit cranky, that’s what you see that fire when he gets a wicket. That’s why we love him like that.
“I think even at the start of the season when he came back for the Test matches he felt like he needed to prove a point.
“When you’re the number one bowler in the world, if you don’t produce the goods regularly people are going to ask questions and that comes with its own pressures.
“Now he’s obviously back in the one-day team and he will definitely try to make a huge impact and try and show everyone that one-day cricket is still a huge part of his future.”
Faf added of Steyn's value to the side in general, not just with the ball: “Any team that he comes into, Dale Steyn, it’s just the fear that he puts into the opposition.
“Just the name itself, you get a few guys around the world that have that. They’ve done well for a period of time and put just that little bit of doubt in your head as the opposition because of the name.
“But his skill and his experience are something that you can’t get overnight and Dale is one hundred per cent fit and fresh, and wants to bowl quick.
“He’s an extremely big asset to whatever team it is.”
