Publications
Partners
Cape Town - South African fast bowler Dale Steyn has lauded bowling coach Allan Donald for the impact he's had on him since joining the Proteas coaching staff.
As it happened: SL v SA - Day 5
Steyn was at his ruthless best at the weekend as he bowled South Africa to victory in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle.
On a pitch supposed to be a graveyard for fast bowlers, Steyn registered match figures of 9/99 and was duly rewarded with the man-of-the-match accolade.
Since Donald took over as South Africa's bowling coach in June 2011, Steyn's success has been on the up and he currently boasts 371 Test wickets at an average of 22.72.
"Allan is an amazing bowler," Steyn was quoted as saying on the NDTV Sports website. "I watched a couple of his YouTube videos before I bowled here (Galle) and he was just incredible. And then every day he comes and tells you how good you are and what a legend you are. That must take a lot out of him because he is a legend himself. That's why every time I take wickets, I try to signal to him; to try and say this is not just for the team and the fans. This is to say thank you. He keeps me going."
Steyn is also the first non-Asian fast bowler to complete 80 wickets in the sub-continent at an average of 22.17 in 16 Tests.
The second and final Test starts in Colombo on Thursday. If South Africa can avoid defeat and win the series they would return to the No 1 ranking in Test cricket.
As it happened: SL v SA - Day 5
Steyn was at his ruthless best at the weekend as he bowled South Africa to victory in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle.
On a pitch supposed to be a graveyard for fast bowlers, Steyn registered match figures of 9/99 and was duly rewarded with the man-of-the-match accolade.
Since Donald took over as South Africa's bowling coach in June 2011, Steyn's success has been on the up and he currently boasts 371 Test wickets at an average of 22.72.
"Allan is an amazing bowler," Steyn was quoted as saying on the NDTV Sports website. "I watched a couple of his YouTube videos before I bowled here (Galle) and he was just incredible. And then every day he comes and tells you how good you are and what a legend you are. That must take a lot out of him because he is a legend himself. That's why every time I take wickets, I try to signal to him; to try and say this is not just for the team and the fans. This is to say thank you. He keeps me going."
Steyn is also the first non-Asian fast bowler to complete 80 wickets in the sub-continent at an average of 22.17 in 16 Tests.
The second and final Test starts in Colombo on Thursday. If South Africa can avoid defeat and win the series they would return to the No 1 ranking in Test cricket.
