South Africa’s Wayne Parnell has told England to expect a fired-up Dale Steyn as the Proteas look to square the five-match one-day series at 2-2 in Wednesday’s day/night finale in Nottingham.
England went 2-1 up with one to play after a victory at Lord’s on Sunday rounded off by Craig Kieswetter — a former South Africa junior international — launching Steyn for six.
It is not a gesture any fast bowler takes kindly to, especially one regarded as the world’s best, and left-arm seamer Parnell told reporters at Nottingham’s Trent Bridge ground on Tuesday: “He (Steyn) obviously wasn’t happy with that.
“No fast bowler likes to be hit, but Dale’s a competitor — and he’ll be back tomorrow.”
But South Africa’s biggest problem in losing back-to-back matches in London at The Oval and Lord’s has been a lack of runs, not wickets, with England easing past scores of 211 and 8-220 respectively.
By contrast, England fell well short of the 5-287 South Africa made in the second one-dayer at Southampton, where Hashim Amla compiled a brilliant 150.
“We just didn’t score enough runs,” said Parnell. “Whatever it might be, if England have bowled well or we have batted poorly, is up for debate … it’s probably a bit of both.
“But we have a pretty quality batting line-up, and I expect us to do better tomorrow.”
South Africa are currently without the outstanding Jacques Kallis, currently being rested after helping the Proteas to a 2-0 Test series win over England.
One of the world’s leading batsman and a fine fast bowler, Kallis leaves a big hole to fill but Parnell insisted South Africa could win in the absence of the all-rounder.
“It’s up for debate,” he said. “If he were here and we were 2-1 down, what would people be saying?
“Now he’s not, people are questioning whether he should be here or not.”