Dale Steyn criticizes Neil Wagner's batting approach

South African pace bowling ace Dale Steyn has criticized Black Caps fast bowler for not giving his 100% with the bat. The mercurial South African felt that Wagner lacked the courage to stay in the middle.

“He backed away and slogged away … maybe didn’t back away but stood and played the pull shot,” Steyn said of Wagner.

“But if he wanted to be more courageous and brave he would have been 30 off 90 and watched his captain get to 100 rather than score 31 and walk off the pitch and say I’ve done my job. That’s not your job.

“He gives his all but I would have tried to hang out there and even get 10 of 50 balls and see Kane through to 100, rather than walk off with 30 and think I’ve done my job.”

Also read – Virender Sehwag makes an epic observation about Yogeshwar Dutt’s medal upgrade

The Pretoria-born Wagner has grabbed everyone’s attention in the second test between New Zealand and South Africa in his former home city. In the first innings, Wagner collected five wickets with his aggressive left-arm fast bowling. South Africa were still able to post a massive first innings total of 481-8 with the help of their skipper Faf du Plessis’ century.

Later, his aggressive approach brought him on the receiving end of a similar treatment when the South African fast bowler got after him. The Black Caps scored a paltry 214 in reply with only Kane Williamson making a significant contribution. Wagner, coming in to bat at number 10, also, made a valuable contribution cracking 31 off 30 balls. His approach with the bat was to go out all guns blazing

That included thrashing Steyn for three fours and a six within five deliveries before Steyn got the left-hander caught behind. Steyn suggested Wagner would have been better playing a supporting role with skipper Kane Williamson who had a chance to post another century but was eventually the last man out for 77.

The Proteas are currently under full control of the game after posting a target of 400. Steyn certainly feels there will only be one result.

“The longer the sun bakes the wicket and we get our bats into the cracks and just widen them up a little bit, it’s going to be more difficult to bat,” he said.

Watch: Dale Steyn v Neil Wagner

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbWITwmVD_I