Former South African quick Donald on Steyn, Morkel and co...
Friday 18 December 2015 09:51, UK
England begin their four-match Test series against South Africa on Boxing Day in Durban, but what attack will they face?
South Africa are the number one ranked Test team in the world, thanks in large part to their stellar pace attack of Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander.
But Steyn missed three of four Tests in the recent 3-0 series defeat in India due to a groin injury, and an ankle problem has sidelined Philander for the first two Tests against England.
Former South African quick Allan Donald takes a look at the Proteas possible options, and what problems they will each pose England...
Dale Steyn
Steyn is fit again, and desperate to perform after some time out. He is fresh, and wanted to play in the last Test in India, I believe, to give himself some miles in the legs. Both teams are having similar problems at the top of the order, so the battle between Steyn and James Anderson, and the damage they can inflict early, is going to be magnificent.
A lot has been made about the skill sets of the two, but they are totally different bowlers. Anderson is a magician with the ball, swings it both ways, has great control, while Steyn is a true thoroughbred, and gets success through a different style of bowling. I'm looking forward to the battle.
Morne Morkel
I love the leadership he has brought to the group. He has always been in the shadow somewhat of Steyn and Philander, but all of a sudden he has really come through. He has led from the front with the ball and had a great series in India. He is the guy that comes through under the radar all the time, always making major breakthroughs for South Africa which can sometimes go unnoticed.
A brilliant performer, over the last 12 months in particular, I think he will come into his own in this series and really show his class. He is definitely at his peak now - he has always fronted up, more so in India than at any other time, on those flat wickets - so let's hope he has another extraordinary 12 months.
Vernon Philander
In South African conditions - he knows this place inside out - he is a very good bowler. If there is anything in the wicket, he will find it. He is out for the first two Tests, and will certainly be missed.
I don't see it as a necessity for him to play in the final two Tests though. It is time for somebody now to really shine in the first couple, and if South Africa find the right formula then they will likely stick with it, and Vernon will struggle to get back into the side.
Kagiso Rabada
He is finding his way in the game, and still developing, but is developing rapidly. What you can expect from him is raw pace, he wants to get stuck in. He is only 21 now, so I think he is still capable of bowling quicker. He can bowl 150kph, and over the years he can only develop further.
It will be a tricky one for South Africa in terms of selection, as this would be a stern test for him, having four Test matches against a quality England side, but I have no doubts real about him. He is an outstanding find, and his stock is just going up and up and up.
Kyle Abbott
Abbott is a great guy to have waiting in the wings. If Steyn and Morkel should have any problems, and with PhiIander not playing the first two Tests, it will likely be a bun fight between him and Rabada for the vacant spot. For me, at the moment, you will need consistency and pressure against England, so Abbott is your man.
He sits in the shadows of those guys all the time as the back-up bowler, but whenever South Africa have called on him, he has always performed, like in the last Test in India, where he took five-for. It will be hard work for England to block an end for a whole day, and Abbott has that energy and endurance to keep forcing them to do that. So for me, I'd pick him any day. I'm sure he'd do a sterling job.
Coverage of the first Test between South Africa and England in Durban gets underway at 7.30am on Boxing Day morning on Sky Sports 2 HD, or watch without a contract on NOW TV.
