Morne's early impact shocked me: Steyn

Fast bowler Dale Steyn says that the competition from his Titans and South African team-mate Morne Morkel is a big reason for his flat-out aggressive bowling.

"It was an eye opener to me when Morné suddenly appeared on the scene to take my place. At the age of 24, I should be replacing other guys; not being replaced. It was a big shock to me," he told Beeld, a South African daily.

That said, he welcomed the competition and believed it was very healthy for South African cricket. "I can hardly wait to see what's going to happen when Morné is fully fit and available again. I only know he is not going to get my place. Someone else will have to stand back for him because I'm going to cling to what I have.

"The way things stand now, South African cricket will be the winner because the seam bowlers will be giving each other a run for places in the team."

Steyn, who made his Test debut in 2004, has given the South African attack two key elements that they lacked - genuine pace and swing - and has walked away with all the accolades in recent times. "I can't really explain it," he said. "I just try to enjoy the moment and ride the wave for as long as I can. I have so much rhythm in my action and feel so comfortable that I just want to keep on bowling. It feels as if it is the most natural thing that I'm doing."

Steyn, 24, has been in tremendous form, taking 20 wickets in two Tests against New Zealand, 14 wickets in his only match of the domestic season, including a hat-trick, and a South African Twenty20 record of 4 for 9, all bowled, against West Indies at Port Elizabeth this week.

"I'm just going to keep bowling the way I have done recently; whatever happens must happen," he said. "If you suddenly discover after a Test match you are ten wickets behind the total you had planned to take, you only place unnecessary pressure on yourself."

Jacques Rudolph and New Zealand's Craig Cumming (who needed metal plates inserted in his cheekbone) may feel otherwise after their seasons came to an early end, but Steyn said he hates hitting batsman. "I know it helps us when one of our opponents' top-order batsmen have to retire but I don't enjoy hurting any batsman deliberately. I also don't talk too much to the batsmen when I bowl. I rather concentrate on taking their wickets. That gives me much more pleasure."