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This article was first published 11 years ago

South Africans sizzle in IPL V

Last updated on: April 19, 2012 18:15 IST


The South Africans seem to be making the most of it on the Indian soil as both their batsmen and bowlers have proved their worth in the IPL so far and even look set to dominate the fifth edition of the tournament. 

Going by the performances put up by the bunch of South Africans so far, be it batting of Faf Du Plessis, AB de Villiers and Albei Morkel, or the devastating bowling from Mornie Morkel and Dale Steyn, the Proteans have made a mark in this competition.

Morne Morkel has been one of the most valuable players for Delhi Daredevils this season. 

In fact, it was Morne's spells against Kolkata and Chennai that helped the Daredevils clinch victories. He has bagged 12 wickets from five games with an economy rate of 5.89 per over.      

Morne, who has the ability to constantly pitch the ball in right areas while his towering height helps him generate more pace and bounce, is expected to continue with his form in the tournament.

Dale Steyn has been running in hard


Though Deccan Chargers have not been able win any game so far, Dale Steyn has been running in hard and rattling most of his opponents with his raw pace.

The world's one of the most fearsome pacers made Mumbai's Richard Levi's life difficult during their IPL match in Visakhapatnam. Levi was left poking at Steyn's blistering pace before being foxed by an in-swinging yorker delivered at almost 148kph, which sent Levi's middle stump cart-wheeling. 

Steyn has picked up five wickets (2 against Chennai and 3 against Mumbai) in three games that Deccan have played. 

AB de Villiers has been a key player for RCB


Royal Challengers Bangalore have played five matches till now but won only two. And AB de Villiers has been the key player in both those victories against the Daredevils and Pune Warriors. 

De Villiers' unbeaten 64 helped the Royal Challengers post a competitive 157 for eight against Delhi after the wicketkeeper-batsman walked into the middle when his team was struggling at 59 for 4 in the ninth over. 

He took his time to get into the groove, nudging ones and twos before unleashing his array of strokes. He smashed six fours and two sixes in his match-winning effort. 

Against Pune, de Villiers' unbeaten 33 at the end helped Bangalore pull off a fantastic last-ball victory. Needing 21 runs in last over, the South African smashed India discard Ashish Nehra for two sixes -- a reverse sweep and a scoop over deep fine leg -- that set up his partner Saurabh Tiwary to clobber a straight six when Bangalore needed three to win off the last ball. 

Faf du Plessis has been impressive for Chennai


Blistering knocks by Faf du Plessis (71) and a cameo by Albie Morkel propelled Chennai Super Kings register a dramatic last-ball win against the Royal Challengers. 

After Plessis put up a 56-run stand with Murali Vijay for the first wicket, Albie turned the complexion of the game in the penultimate over as he racked up 28 runs to leave the Super Kings needing only 15 runs from the last over. 

He blasted three sixes and two fours in the 19th over bowled by Virat Kohli, setting up the tone for the victory. 

The fans are now desperately praying for just another South African, one of the greatest allrounders in the world, Jacques Kallis, to strike form.

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