Steyn stars in comfortable victoryDale Steyn laid down a marker for the season ahead and showed he is back to full health as he took a career-best 4 for 16 to help South Africa to a 61-run victory in the opening ODI. For a while, as Mohammad Ashraful was compiling a composed 73, the home side were being tested, but Steyn returned to claim two wickets in two balls and South Africa eased home. Their batting performance was made up of plenty of bit-part efforts and it needed a late onslaught from the lower order to boost the total to 283.
The main event for South Africa over the next few months is the home-and-away battle against Australia which starts next month. However, it is vital they use this early series, which they should be able to win comfortably, to fine-tune their game. In many ways this was a performance that showed they are still finding top gear as various batsmen gave away good starts and the bowlers, with the honourable exception of Steyn, were still trying to discover their rhythm - as 25 wides testifies.
The main event for South Africa over the next few months is the home-and-away battle against Australia which starts next month. However, it is vital they use this early series, which they should be able to win comfortably, to fine-tune their game. In many ways this was a performance that showed they are still finding top gear as various batsmen gave away good starts and the bowlers, with the honourable exception of Steyn, were still trying to discover their rhythm - as 25 wides testifies.
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