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Cape Town - When Australia study footage of the Proteas ahead of their upcoming tour of South Africa, they will detect a new weapon in paceman Dale Steyn's arsenal.
During the recent Test series against India, Steyn has increasingly used subtle variations of width in his delivery at the crease to devastating effect.
Steyn took the vital wicket of Cheteshwar Pujara on the final day of the second Test in Durban utilising this tactic.
Speaking to Die Burger website, South African bowling coach Allan Donald said he had suggested the tactic due to Steyn's tendency to pitch it up just outside of off-stump.
Steyn revealed after the Test that he and Donald had discussed better use of variation in his delivery stride and his bowling action.
" I suggested he should alternate now and then. It's also something that you can use if there is not much in the pitch for the bowlers , "said Donald.
He said it was important to get the angle of release just right.
The ball is designed to beat the batsman by angling it in to the middle stump with one inch of swing.
The cracks on the Kingsmead pitch had also played a role in the delivery, however it was the only the third time Pujara, a very technically correct batsman, had been dismissed by a fast bowler in 28 innings.
Steyn 's tally of 51 wickets from Tests in 2013 was the third highest of any bowler, behind Stuart Broad (62 wickets) and James Anderson (51 wickets), both of whom played five more Test than the South African.
Steyn also joined an exclusive club of bowlers to have reached 350 wickets in Test cricket, and will be aiming for a repeat performance in 2014 to reach 400 Test wickets.
Steyn will also be keen to resume his friendly rivalry with team-mate Vernon Philander who dethroned him as the No 1 Test bowler late last year.
During the recent Test series against India, Steyn has increasingly used subtle variations of width in his delivery at the crease to devastating effect.
Steyn took the vital wicket of Cheteshwar Pujara on the final day of the second Test in Durban utilising this tactic.
Speaking to Die Burger website, South African bowling coach Allan Donald said he had suggested the tactic due to Steyn's tendency to pitch it up just outside of off-stump.
Steyn revealed after the Test that he and Donald had discussed better use of variation in his delivery stride and his bowling action.
" I suggested he should alternate now and then. It's also something that you can use if there is not much in the pitch for the bowlers , "said Donald.
He said it was important to get the angle of release just right.
The ball is designed to beat the batsman by angling it in to the middle stump with one inch of swing.
The cracks on the Kingsmead pitch had also played a role in the delivery, however it was the only the third time Pujara, a very technically correct batsman, had been dismissed by a fast bowler in 28 innings.
Steyn 's tally of 51 wickets from Tests in 2013 was the third highest of any bowler, behind Stuart Broad (62 wickets) and James Anderson (51 wickets), both of whom played five more Test than the South African.
Steyn also joined an exclusive club of bowlers to have reached 350 wickets in Test cricket, and will be aiming for a repeat performance in 2014 to reach 400 Test wickets.
Steyn will also be keen to resume his friendly rivalry with team-mate Vernon Philander who dethroned him as the No 1 Test bowler late last year.
