Steyn on the mend

Dale Steyn is trying to keep his hamstring warm by doing some light training today

South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn is confident he will be fully fit in time for the first Test against Australia next week.

Steyn is suffering from a hamstring strain suffered in the recent series against Bangladesh and will miss the Proteas' first tour match, a one-day fixture against Western Australia at the WACA on Thursday.

But Steyn, voted the International Cricket Council Test player of the year with 60 wickets at 19.41 apiece in 2008 so far, will return to South Africa's attack for the second tour match, a two-day clash with a Western Australia second XI starting on Friday.

“In the Test match against Bangladesh, I did it in the first innings so I was still able to bowl in the second,” Steyn said.

“(But) you have got to be cautious and kind of look after it now, we've got a long tour of Australia still to come for us.

“You don't want to do anything silly before the first Test match starts.

“I'll mess around a little bit today in the nets I guess and then my physio's going to just keep me on my feet and keep me bouncing around.

“He's just trying to keep this hamstring warm. But I'll be ready by the time next week comes around.”

Steyn is looking forward to taking on Australia with a bit more experience and a few more tricks up his sleeve after being carted by Phil Jaques in a one-day international between the two countries in early 2006.

Jaques took to the fast bowler in the match at Melbourne's Telstra Dome, belting him for 24 off an over as Steyn finished with 1-58 from five overs.

The bowler has previously said it was the most important match of his life and has motivated him ever since, adding that he has been itching to have another crack at Australia.

“The last time I came down here to play in a one-day series, things didn't go my way and I was pretty young and inexperienced," he admitted.

“It's just nice now that you get to come in, you get a second chance.

“Some players would never get a second chance after the performances that they've put on like that.

"I'm privileged to represent my country and come back down here and I've got a second chance to try and redeem myself and show that I am capable of bowling well against good opposition and capable of overcoming the fears of playing in difficult conditions.”