Steyn strikes under lights in tour draw

ADELAIDE: Dale Steyn gave Australia something to ponder with an impressive spell of fast bowling in South Africa’s tour game against a Cricket Australia XI here on Sunday.

Steyn claimed two for nine from six overs to help skittle the young selection side for 103 off 30.4 overs in reply to the tourists’ 415 on the final day of a two-day day-night game at the Adelaide Oval.

At the close the Proteas had reached 181 for five in their second innings, with Rilee Rossouw top-scoring on 77 before he retired out.

It was a good hit-out for the South Africans, who are looking for games under lights at the Adelaide Oval ahead of the three-Test series against Australia starting on November 3 in Perth.

It was Steyn who looked threatening and led a strong fast bowling group, with quicks Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada, Morne Morkel and Kyle Abbott taking two wickets each.

The CA XI tumbled to 39 for seven before local skipper Matthew Short counter-attacked and made 57 from 61 balls.

Tall paceman Abbott enjoyed bowling with the pink ball on the grassy Adelaide pitch. “It seems to nip around a bit when the lights come on, not so much during the day,” Abbott said.