Steyn - Consistency is key

Proteas paceman ready for India challenge

By Joe Drabble   Last updated: 24th March 2008

South Africa vs West Indies 2nd Test: Dale Steyn celebrates

Steyn: Eyeing consistency

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South Africa opening bowler Dale Steyn believes the key to retaining his vein of good form in India will be consistency.

The Proteas begin the first of three Tests in Chennai on Wednesday and Steyn goes into the series on a hot streak after grabbing 14 wickets in the 2-0 rout of Bangladesh this month - becoming the quickest South African to reach the 100-wicket mark.

The 24-year-old will be an instrumental figure in the sub-continent as the Proteas bid to achieve an Asian treble after wins in Pakistan late last year, and Bangladesh.

"Once you find the recipe for success it's best to stick to it, so I won't be changing much," Steyn said.

"It's worked so far so hopefully I can take that form into this test match and the whole tour.

No pressure

"I'm under no pressure," he added. "That's been the beautiful thing about the season so far.

"Graeme Smith has never put me under any pressure, I've been given the ball to do a job and I've been fortunate enough to be able to do it."

Steyn said he wanted to model himself on compatriot Shaun Pollock and Australia's Glenn McGrath, whose success was due to consistency.

"End of the day, guys like Polly (Pollock) and McGrath have shown that you don't really need to have the speed to become the world's best bowler," he said.

"It is where you bowl the ball that counts. They have led by example, I can take what they used, line and length, and then add the speed into it.

"Maybe then you can become an even better bowler."