News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

This article was first published 9 years ago
Rediff.com  » Cricket » Proteas paceman Steyn says Clarke rivalry blown out of proportion

Proteas paceman Steyn says Clarke rivalry blown out of proportion

November 18, 2014 13:22 IST
Get Rediff News in your Inbox:

Dale Steyn of South Africa looks towards Michael Clarke of Australia as he runs between the wickets

Dale Steyn of South Africa looks towards Michael Clarke of Australia as he runs between the wickets. Photograph: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

South African paceman Dale Steyn played down his rift with Australia captain Michael Clarke on Tuesday, saying their supposed feud had been "a bit silly".

Clarke has been ruled out of the last three matches of the One-day series against the Proteas by a hamstring injury and Steyn said he wished the Australian a swift recovery.

The row started in March when Clarke sledged Steyn when the South African and team-mate Vernon Philander were batting to try, ultimately unsuccessfully, to save both the Cape Town Test and the series.

Clarke, who was fined for threatening England paceman James Anderson with a broken arm during the Brisbane Ashes Test at the end of last year, apologised in Cape Town for the sledge.

Steyn said after a triangular series in Zimbabwe later in the year, however, that he would not forgive the personal slight until Clarke shook him by the hand and apologised -- comments he said had been blown out of all proportion.

"It's got nothing to do about, 'I'll see you in the car park and we'll beat the crap out of each other'," Steyn told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday.

'There's enough respect from both of us'

Michael Clarke of Australia looks on after getting out to Dale Steyn of South Africa

Michael Clarke of Australia looks on after getting out to Dale Steyn of South Africa. Photograph: Morne de Klerk/Getty Images

"Maybe I just said too much in Zim. The issue with Michael Clarke got blown out completely, it was like two schoolgirls the way the media got hold of it."

Although Steyn said that he believed there was "a line" in sledging that should not be crossed, he was happy to put the disagreement with Clarke behind him.

"I didn't want it to start a massive thing. It did, it doesn't matter. He's not playing now. He's obviously injured. Hopefully he gets well," Steyn added.

"He's a great player and I think there's enough respect from both of us, we've played against each other for long enough now and it's just kind of got blown out of the water. It's a bit silly really in all honesty."

With the One-day series nicely poised at 1-1 after the first two matches in Perth, the tourists face Australia in the third match at Manuka Oval on Wednesday.

Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE 2024

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE 2024