Australia vs. South Africa: Dale Steyn wades into sledging debate

DALE Steyn has waded into the ugly debate encapsulating Australia’s heated Test tour, claiming an “unfair” disadvantage has been slapped on the home side

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - MARCH 02: Kagiso Rabada of the Proteas celebrates the wicket of Tim Paine of Australia during day 2 of the 1st Sunfoil Test match between South Africa and Australia at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead on March 02, 2018 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Lee Warren/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

AUSTRALIA’S South African tour exploded over the weekend as slanging matches between the two sides heated up the first Test of the four-match series.

David Warner’s viral behind-the-scenes spat with South African wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock set off a chain reaction of abuse with the latter’s sister claiming she’d “hurt” the Aussie opener after being brought into the fracas.

Warner had to be held back by Aussie teammates as he sprayed his 25-year-old opponent, leading the International Cricket Council to conduct an investigation. The final results of the probe are expected to be revealed before Friday’s second Test with both players expected to be hit with fines.

Proteas skipper admitted both teams went too far with personal sledging on day four before the blow-up.

Injured Test quick Dale Steyn says one of his side’s most potent weapons has been held back from opening fire on the Australians.

22-year-old firebrand Kagiso Rabada has copped heat for his animated send-offs, with the ICC slapping the spearhead seamer with fines in the previous Test series against India.

Some would say Rabada — who bowls at a lazy 145km/h — only needs the ball in hand to get into the minds of opposition batsmen, but the 34-year-old Steyn says his counterpart has been unfairly restricted from fully unleashing in the series.

Rabada has been somewhat subdued this series, Dale Steyn says.

“I think after the last few incidents where (Rabada) got into trouble — he got a ban and a fine and everything like that — he kind of has the handcuffs around him right now, which is a little unfair.

“Because if you look at the way some of the Aussies are going about it, it’s just … And I’m not standing here and complaining, and I hope I don’t get a fine for saying that.

“But you kind of feel that you are taking out our best competitor, especially with that kind of presence, it’s like taking a knife to a gunfight really. It’s a little bit unfair.”

Darren Lehmann threw his support behind the polarising Warner, claiming both sides will continue to push boundaries on the field — but insisted personal sledges would need to take a back seat for the remainder of the series.

“We’re certainly supporting David. We want to play a way that gets us success and we’ve just got to make sure we don’t cross the line –—that’s the key,” Lehmann told AAP.

“There are things that cross the line and evokes emotion and you’ve got to deal with that behind closed doors and get better at that.

“Both sides are going to push the boundaries. That’s part and parcel of Test match cricket. It’s a bloody tough game.

“This series is going to be played very hard on the field by both sides, it looks like ... the way they want to play is fiercely competitive on the ground. As long as it doesn’t get personal, that’s probably the key.”

Lehmann floated the prospect of Smith and du Plessis smoking the peace pipe at some point before the second Test starts on Friday in Port Elizabeth. Crowe has already reminded both camps of the need to play within the spirit of the game and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he does the same before day one at St George’s Park “I’m sure the captains will chat and the coaches will chat and we’ll get away to play the game,” Lehmann said.

“The cricket is the most important thing.” Crowe has already finalised a punishment for one misbehaving Australian in Durban, fining Nathan Lyon 15 per cent of his match fee for his ‘ball drop’ send-off of AB de Villiers.

“It was probably a bit cheeky. The great thing about it, he apologised to AB straight away. He sent him a text, spoke to him today and it’s dealt with,” Lehmann said.

“That’s how it should be as grown men.”

It all got real ugly, real fast on day four.

— with AAP