Dale Steyn was amazed by Mitchell Starc’s skills and said, “It’s about big-match temperament”

Dale Steyn highlighted the strategy behind Rickelton’s ejection by pointing out how his length outwitted the southpaw and made the difference. In difficult times, Steyn also emphasised Starc’s temperament.

A strong opening spell on Day 1 of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2025 at Lord’s has once again demonstrated why Australian ace pacer Mitchell Starc is among the most reliable and formidable fast bowlers in the world. Legendary Proteas pacer Dale Steyn praised him for his early breakthroughs, which also helped the Australians put South Africa on the defensive early on.

The team gained an advantage after scoring 212 in the first innings thanks to Starc’s dismissals of Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton. In the opening over of South Africa’s innings, Starc’s inswinger took the inside edge and destroyed the stumps of the right-handed batsman, Markram. Rickelton was removed by the left-arm bowler eight overs later after Usman Khawaja caught him at first slip. Regarding the Australian pacer’s performance, Steyn spoke candidly.

He’s quite fast in the air, and I believe he rushes a lot of batsmen. Like Aiden Markram, who was stopped in the crease, uncertain whether to move forward or not, there are moments when you’re a little anxious and your feet don’t move the way you want them to. Steyn at the JioStar stated that Starc had already passed the bat a couple of times and possibly even defeated him on the inside edge once or twice.

He thinks he can do it again because he has done it before: Dale Steyn

Then Rickelton decided he could hit it through the covers. The world’s top Test bowlers can draw their length back just a little bit. It kicks up, moves a little further, and finds the edge just when a hitter believes he has it covered. Over the years, Starc, Cummins, and Hazlewood have excelled at that. However, big-match temperament is also a factor. He thinks he can do it again because he has done it before, and once he does, it becomes a habit. He establishes a reputation as well. He has his captain’s support. We are aware of his approach, and his wickets are all quite comparable,” he continued.

In response to Australia’s 212 at lunchtime on day two, South Africa was 121/5 after 49 overs. Kyle Verreynne (11*) and David Bedingham (39*) are trying to gain a good lead and stabilise the ship.