Parnell issues Dale warning to England
South Africa's Wayne Parnell has told England to expect a fired-up Dale Steyn as the Proteas look to square the five-match one-day series at 2-2 in Wednesday's day/night finale in Nottingham.
England went 2-1 up with one to play after a victory at Lord's on Sunday rounded off by Craig Kieswetter – a former South Africa junior international – launching Steyn for six.
It is not a gesture any fast bowler takes kindly to, especially one regarded as the world's best, and left-arm seamer Parnell told reporters at Nottingham's Trent Bridge ground on Tuesday: "He (Steyn) obviously wasn't happy with that.
"No fast bowler likes to be hit, but Dale's a competitor – and he'll be back tomorrow."
But South Africa's biggest problem in losing back-to-back matches in London at The Oval and Lord's has been a lack of runs, not wickets with England easing past scores of 211 and 220 for eight respectively.
By contrast, England fell well short of the 287 for five South Africa made in the second one-dayer at Southampton, where Hashim Amla compiled a brilliant 150.
"We just didn't score enough runs," said Parnell. "Whatever it might be, if England have bowled well or we have batted poorly, is up for debate ... it's probably a bit of both," he added.
"But we have a pretty quality batting line-up, and I expect us to do better tomorrow."
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South Africa are currently without the outstanding Jacques Kallis, currently being rested after helping the Proteas to a 2-0 test series win over England.
One of the world's leading batsman and a fine fast bowler, Kallis leaves a big whole to fill but Parnell insisted South Africa could win in the absence of the all-rounder.
"It's up for debate," he said. "If he were here and we were 2-1 down, what would people be saying?
"Now he's not, people are questioning whether he should be here or not."
