Steyn relishing India tour

World number two looking to boost growing reputation

Last updated: 11th March 2008

Second Test Day 3: Bangladesh vs South Africa - Dale Steyn nabs another wicket

Steyn: Looking forward

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South Africa paceman Dale Steyn is relishing the prospect of coming face to face with India's batsmen in the upcoming three-Test series which starts on March 26th.

The 24-year-old travels back to the subcontinent having recently taken 14 wickets against Bangladesh in two Tests, India themselves heading into the contest following their successful - and controversial - Australia tour.

The last time he played against India in 2006-07, Steyn claimed six wickets in two Tests.

However, given his current form, the player ranked world number two among bowlers behind Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan will be hoping to improve his record.

"I am looking forward to playing against India, especially after their successful tour of Australia. It will be interesting going to India," Steyn said.

"The good thing is we have been playing quite a bit of cricket on the subcontinent lately in Pakistan and Bangladesh. We won both Test series, so this will be an interesting contest between two good teams."

Challenge

Neverthless Steyn, who recently beat Allan Donald's record of the quickest South African to 100 Test wickets, admitted that bowling to Indian batsmen in their own conditions will present a challenge.

"It is going to be tough bowling to any of the batsmen, particularly under conditions that they are used to," he said. "They have plenty of depth. The key will be to work on their weaknesses and take it from there."

Steyn will also look to bamboozle the formidable Indian batting line-up with his slow ball.

"My slower ball really took off when we went to Sri Lanka a couple of seasons ago. Polly (Shaun Pollock) told me that it was a vital weapon to have in my arsenal, particularly in subcontinent conditions," he said.

"It makes a big difference when you are bowling at 145 (kilometres an hour) and can suddenly change gear to 110 or less."

IPL excitement

Steyn will also be seen in the inaugural Indian Premier League which starts next month and added that he was excited about sharing the dressing room with rivals.

He added: "I will have Mark Boucher and Jacques Kallis on my side which will be great but what will be really interesting will be having players like Rahul Dravid and Nathan Bracken as team mates.

"I believe I will learn quite a lot from the experience. It should be a lot of fun and it is great for the players to be so well paid."