Rudolph happy with half-century as Steyn issues threat

South Africa’s batsmen had the edge over their bowlers as they completed preparations for the first Test against England in a routine rain-affected stalemate with Kent at Canterbury.

An uninterrupted final day of three was not enough to open up the possibility of anything other than a draw as the tourists’ 314 all out gave them a 104-run lead, and then young Kent openers Sam Northeast (54 not out) and Daniel Bell-Drummond (48no) followed their first-innings stand of 81 with an unbroken 105 second time round.

Theirs was undoubtedly the best batting of the match, against a world-class attack – albeit one going gently through the gears on a stodgy pitch, with much bigger assignments in the offing.

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Three middle-order half-centuries had ensured South Africa’s batsmen will head to The Oval with confidence intact and crease time under their belts.

None of the top seven was dismissed for single-figures; Hashim Amla (77) and Jacques Kallis (54) both retired after a century stand for the third wicket, and former Yorkshire batsman Jacques Rudolph (50) ensured the necessary extra substance.

Rudolph admitted he and his batting colleagues had found things easier, and perhaps more beneficial, than South Africa’s much-vaunted pace attack.

“I think it was good preparation, specifically from a batting point of view – everybody got starts, got in,” he said.

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“It was a little difficult for the bowlers. The wicket didn’t really give them any assistance.

“But the way we’ve batted here as a unit was exceptional.

“We’re pleased with the work we’ve done, and I can promise you all the boys just want that first Test to start now.”

Meanwhile, Dale Steyn has two ambitions for the summer – to terrify English batsmen, and put South Africa in their ‘rightful’ place at the top of the world Test rankings.

Steyn, the world’s No 1 bowler according to the International Cricket Council, believes South Africa should be there with him.

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Instead, it is England who are the current world-beaters with the tourists demoted down to third behind Australia.

Steyn takes issue with that, and is determined to do something about it. As for his own bowling, he is not too fussed whether he is the world’s fastest – as long as he is terrorising batsmen, and getting plenty of them out too.

“I’m trying to be the fastest bowler South Africa has when we walk out on to the field – that’s my job,” he said.

“I think there’s times when I can bowl as quick as anybody in the world, but I just want to take wickets – and I want to scare the s*** out of people.”

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Steyn is not averse to a little sledging either. “I try and let the ball do most of the talking,” he said. “However, I am a fast bowler and with that comes a responsibility of saying a word or two, and sometimes getting in a guy’s face.”