Perth: South Africa paceman Dale Steyn expects the Australians to “come hard” at them, despite the fact that Steve Smith’s men suffered resounding losses to the Proteas and Sri Lanka.
Australia were recently stripped off their No. 1 status in Test cricket after suffering a 3-0 whitewash in Sri Lanka. Subsequently, Pakistan went on to take the No. 1 Test spot after a good display in England. Pakistan’s stay at the top was brief though, as India soon reclaimed the top spot with a 3-0 whitewash of New Zealand.
The Aussies also suffered further humiliation after losing a five-match ODI series 5-0 in South Africa.
Although he does not expect a big sledging match in South Africa’s four-game Test series, Steyn said that he expects the Aussies to come hard at them.
“Absolutely, we’re playing in Australia you know. If that’s the way they want to play I probably expect that,” said Steyn to Cricket.com.au.
"But I think they’ll be up for it, they’re probably a little bit hurt after Sri Lanka (where Australia lost three-nil) and especially after coming to South Africa and losing five-nil.
“I wouldn’t expect anything less than for them to come hard at us,” said Steyn. “Not come hard in verbals or anything like that, we’re over that now. The guys are now professional enough to know where the line is.”
