Steyn roars back
How much does Dale Steyn have left in his 33-year-old tank? On the evidence of his performance against New Zealand at Centurion yesterday, plenty.Steyn missed six of South Africa's eight Tests last season through injury, sparking fears that the career of the finest fast bowler of the age could be near its end.But he roared back to the top of his game at Centurion, taking 5/33 yesterday to finish with match figures of 8/99 -- which helped the Proteas win the match by 204 runs and clinch the series 1-0.Steyn's contribution was massive, but SA captain Faf du Plessis focused on the bigger picture."We almost played the perfect Test," Du Plessis said. "If I could have written a script, that's how I would have written it."SA lost six of the eight Tests they played last season, and consequently slumped from No 1 to seventh in the rankings.The series win took them up to fifth place, and Du Plessis was confident SA would reclaim more lost ground. "We've definitely found our passion again," he said.New Zealand, set 400 to win when SA declared their second innings closed on 132/7 after batting for an hour, were dismissed for 195 late on the fourth day.The die for the match was cast when New Zealand captain Kane Williamson won the toss and handed first use of the pitch to SA, who declared on 481/8."It was a very good toss to lose and unfortunately I won it," Williamson said.Henry Nicholls was the last man out for a career-best 76, after more than four hours at the crease.New Zealand were in trouble from the first ball of their second innings, a rising delivery from Steyn that Tom Latham tried to leave but deflected onto his stumps instead.With the last ball of that over Steyn produced a fine away swinger that Martin Guptill could only edge to Hashim Amla at first slip.Vernon Philander rapped Williamson on his left hand, causing him to call for assistance from the team physiotherapist.He took time out to receive further treatment at every opportunity, but that didn't stop Steyn trapping Ross Taylor in front with a delivery that kept low and jagged away off the seam.Philander ended Williamson's misery, though not his agony, with the help of a superb diving catch by Quinton de Kock. Thus New Zealand were reduced to 7/4 in 18 deliveries, with three of those four gone for ducks.Nicholls and BJ Watling then steadied the innings with a stand of 68 before Dane Piedt trapped Watling in front for 32. Nicholls and Doug Bracewell added 46 for the seventh wicket, Kagiso Rabada then yorked Tim Southee before trapping Neil Wagner plumb in front, and Steyn ended the match when Nicholls pulled to deep fine leg...
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