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Watch: Dale Steyn’s reverse swing blows away famed Australia middle order

by Wisden Staff May 6, 2021 - 2:51pm 2 minute read

Watch: Dale Steyn at his absolute best was a beast few teams could counter, and the Australians were at the receiving end of his old ball magic in this Port Elizabeth Test from 2014.

South Africa had dominated the Test from the word go and after the two innings, the hosts had a formidable lead on board. They declared in the second innings, setting Australia a mammoth target of 448.

A 126-run opening partnership between Chris Rogers and David Warner gave the visitors hope. Although they lost three wickets quickly, with a middle-order of Michael Clarke, Steve Smith and Brad Haddin to come and partner a well-set Rogers, Australia weren’t completely out of the game.

This was until Steyn had that old ball in his hands. Reverse swinging the ball a mile into the right-handers, Steyn had Australia’s batsmen dancing with a mix of out and reverse swinging deliveries

Clarke nicked one to the slip cordon while Smith was trapped in front first ball by a reverse-swinging delivery. Brad Haddin went soon after, cleaned all ends up by another peach.

Australia went from 156-3 to 166-6 after the spell. Steyn finished with figures of 4-55 as South Africa won comfortably by 231 runs.