‘Priceless’: Cricket world loses it as Dale Steyn taught how to bowl in US
Cricket fans around the world have been left in hysterics after one of the greatest fast bowlers in history was taught how to bowl in the US.
South African legend Dale Steyn has left the cricket world in hysterics after being taught how to bowl in the US.
The former fearsome quick is part of the commentary team for the T20 World Cup and tried his hand a local activation set up for the tournament, which is being held in the US and West Indies.
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In his day, Steyn was known for his intimidating speed and crazy eyes as he bullied batsmen around the world.
Having played 93 Tests with 439 wickets, 125 ODIs with 196 wickets and 47 T20Is for 64 wickets, not to mention over 1000 wickets at domestic level, there’s few place in the cricket world Steyn can go without getting recognised.
But in a sign of just how far the game still has to go in the US, the 40-year-old veteran was unrecognisable as he was shown how to bowl at the Cricket Bowling Experience set up to give Americans a taste of cricket.
And the fans have loved it with the video quickly going viral.
One video had 1.4m million views but it’s also been shared by several accounts tallying hundreds of thousands more views.
The video shows one staff member telling Steyn “I’m not exactly sure about all the rules”, before telling the cricket legend “it’s a step, and then throw the ball out and it’s going to bounce and try and hit them”.
In one of the nets, another staff member told Steyn to “keep in mind to not bend the elbow”.
“It’s a swinging motion going forward... and if you want you can do a little skip,” he said.
Then coming in off one step, Steyn bowled a few balls before knocking over the stumps.
The man told him “it should bounce before it hits the (stumps)”.
“It’s supposed to bounce,” Steyn told the camera, struggling to hold back a smile.
Fans were loving the content as the legendary quick didn’t reveal he played cricket, let alone and what level and listened to what the staff members had to say.
Former Australian Olympian Georgie Parker shared the video with followed by two laughing emojis.
One fan said: “Dale Steyn getting bowling tips from the USA staff member. Steyn Gun’s reaction is wholesome!”
Another called it “priceless”, while another suggested it was “literally cute”.
“A random guy in America explaining how to bowl to Dale Steyn, mistaking him for an American,” one fan wrote. “The cricket equivalent of the Anatoly gym prank,” referring to powerlifter Vladimir Shmondenko who plays Anatoly in social media pranks, where he dresses as a cleaner or pensioner and then stuns gym goers with wild feats of strength.
Another said: “I haven’t laughed this hard in a long time. Imagine giving bowling tips to Dale Steyn.”
But for the US, it’s just the start of their journey in the game.
Although the US played in the first ever international match against Canada in 1844, it didn’t take off like baseball and the nation has remained a minnow.
In fact, this World Cup is the first they’ve qualified for as hosts.
Despite that, the Americans pulled off one of the greatest World Cup upsets in history, beating Pakistan in a super over.
Both teams made 159 in their regulation 20 overs, with non-Test nation the United States then setting Pakistan 19 to win in the Super Over.
US pace bowler Saurabh Netravalkar held his nerve as Pakistan made 13-1 in reply.
The United States’ innings ended in dramatic fashion when Nitish Kumar hit a four off a last-ball full toss from Haris Rauf as the tournament co-hosts, who beat Canada in their opening match, finished on 159-3.
Before today, the United States had only previously defeated Ireland and Bangladesh — out of the traditional Test playing nations — in Twenty20 cricket and the Group A win over Pakistan is a moment of history.
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Former England Test captain Michael Vaughan wrote on Twitter: “Incredible performance by United States. A performance so far so typical of Pakistan.
“Now that’s how you grow the game in the States.”
BBC cricket commentator Daniel Norcross wrote: “Good grief. Biggest upset in World Cup history, surely. Stunning.”