‘It’s hot!’ – Steyn’s review of the South Africa attack

South Africa opted to field at Perth Stadium on Sunday, 4 November, and quickly had Australia down at 9/3, Steyn picking up the wickets of Travis Head and D’Arcy Short. He went on to bowl seven super overs as Australia were shot out for 152 in 38.1 overs.

Quinton de Kock (47), Reeza Hendricks (44) and Aiden Markram (36) then did enough to take South Africa to 153/4 in 29.2 overs for a comprehensive win.

“No, I don't think they need to be too embarrassed by it,” said Steyn of the Australian innings – lots of batsmen got into double-digits, but only Alex Carey and Nathan Coulter-Nile topped 30.

“The conditions were tough. Throw another 30-40 runs on there and it becomes quite a tricky chase.”

The difference, Steyn suggested, was in the bowling. South Africa’s all-star attack of Steyn, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Andile Phehlukwayo and Imran Tahir gave little away, while the Australians, despite an excellent pace attack of Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Coulter-Nile couldn’t quite match up.

“I think we outbowled them. I don't think they bowled as well as they potentially could have. That was the difference,” said Steyn. “I think our bowlers were relentless with their lines and lengths and made it extremely difficult to score.”

Steyn, the senior statesman in the side, was understandably impressed by what he saw from the South African bowlers. “Our strength is our bowling right now. It's hot,” said Steyn.

“Lungi has been going hot since the IPL (Indian Premier League, 2018). KG (Rabada) has been a fantastic competitor for the last couple of years. And Imran Tahir is arguably the best white-ball spinner in the world,” Steyn summed up.

Australia have been off the boil in 50-over cricket. This year, even before they lost Steve Smith and David Warner – as well as Cameron Bancroft – to suspensions, they lost a five-match series to England at home 4-1. Since then, they have been swept 5-0 by England in England, and now, under new captain Aaron Finch, the beginning to the home series against South Africa has been far from ideal.

“You'd say that guys are probably at times doubting themselves,” Finch said after the defeat. “And when you're three for eight, you probably have to go and play a different style of one-day cricket than what you map out in your head about how you think the game will unfold.

“When guys are not performing as well as they can do, there's always going to be a bit of doubt. But you're only one good shot away from feeling on top of the world again. I think it's about understanding it's not all doom and gloom.”

Australia need a turnaround, and despite so much going against them, Finch is confident. “It will turn. The way that we're training, believe me, the wheel will turn. And it will happen quickly,” he said.

The second of three ODIs will be played in Adelaide on Friday, 9 November.