South African speedster Dale Steyn is gearing up to make his footmark in the 2016 Caribbean Premier League T20 (CPL) for the Jamaica Tallawahs.
Steyn has replaced Sri Lankan ace pacer Lasith Malinga in the Tallawahs rank. Satyen said he is “happy and excited” for the opportunity to play his trade in the franchise based tournament for the first since its inception in 2013.
“I have always loved the Caribbean, it is my favourite place to tour, so I am excited to be here and I am hoping it goes well this year,” he told the Jamaica Observer ahead of his team’s departure at the Norman Manley Airport on Wednesday.
Steyn has recovered from his long shoulder injury lay off and featured for the Gujarat Lions in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
“I have been fully fit since then, I didn’t get many opportunities with the base of that (IPL) team there, so I went to Glamorgan, played five games and bowled really well. So it is really good space and I feel like I am in a little bit of form, so hopefully, it can continue,” he noted.
The right-handed pacer has gained a wealth of experience in international over the years but he said he wants to exploit the tournament as a learning experience.
Steyn will play along with two West Indies cricketers Chris Gayle and Andre Russell. The team will be led by Chris Gayle. In 2013 under the captaincy of Gayle Tallawahs were the champions, in 2014 they lost in the semifinal.
“I am hoping that personally, I can actually learn a thing or two myself. I think guys like Chris and Andre, who are both outstanding performers here in the Caribbean, can actually teach me a thing or two.
“I play around the world and I do really well in other parts of the world, but I think my job is to come here, try and assist them where I can, and then learn as much as I can too whilst I am here. Obviously, this is foreign to me so I want to come and learn as much as I can and then once I learn how to do it I want to do it better than everybody else too,” declared Steyn.
This time, the Tallawahs are seeking to emulate their 2013 success. They will play their first match today.
The South African seamer said if the Tallawhas have to win this CPL then they have to execute everything perfectly. The youngsters have to perform and the blend of experienced and youngsters will be crucial.
“Looking at the guys that we have in the squad we definitely have a big chance, but I think it’s a cliche because everybody will look at their squad and say we have a strong squad. I think the key thing is the camaraderie among the boys to build that relationship between captain, coach and players and everybody needs to know their roles,” reasoned the “Steyn Remover”, as he is called by his compatriots.
“If guys are playing in their strong suits and they are doing what they are best at doing, then we should do well. I think as soon as we can find that out and people can find their feet, understand where they are going to be playing, what they are going to be doing and find some structure, those are the teams that do really well, and the quicker you can find that out the better,” he added.