Dale Steyn and the anger within

The annual Cricket South Africa Awards is a glamorous, black-tie affair with even the official part of the programme lasting deep into the night. For the invited guests and sponsors who can afford the hangover the next morning, the wine is poured until the early hours.

There is no escape for some who are sticking to sparkling water, however. "I must have signed 500 autographs - and that was just after dinner," says Dale Steyn, eyes shining. "Got to bed at 2am and up at 6am - good job I've been training for this discipline at the IPL!" he laughs.

The occasion was a business breakfast at the headquarters of the game's longest-serving sponsor, SA Breweries, which makes Castle Lager, synonymous with the national team since the end of isolation (except in Pakistan). Steyn was there not just as the world's No. 1 Test bowler, but as an ambassador-at-large for SAB's water conservation programme.

"It takes 155 litres of water to make one litre of beer from the very beginning of the process to the very end, and that's just too much," says Steyn to an audience of 50 or more who aren't sure whether to be wide-eyed and open-mouthed at his presence - or his talk. "SAB have committed themselves to reducing that substantially and I'm backing them and passing on the message."

Steyn removes a folded sheet of paper from his pocket and reads out his top ten tips for saving water - and recounts a tale (with actions) of how the 'bath' at one hotel he stayed at during the IPL consisted of a large, pottery bowl of water and a smaller jug which he used to pour the water over himself. Some South Africans were able to relate, but not the majority.

The great fast bowler laughed at the faces in front of him: "Ha! I guess you all thought the IPL was just about five-star luxury and millionaires, hey?" Most of us nodded.

Steyn's interest started for two reasons, the first completely altruistic: "From the moment I became an established international cricketer I always had a strong feeling that I should be doing some 'good' while I had that profile, using it to try and make a difference."

Two years ago, he tried to organise walking on to the field of play before an IPL match with a tiger cub on a leash to bring their endangered plight to the attention of the widest possible audience, but the logistics and red-tape required made it impossible.

Having been born and raised in the small town of Phalaborwa on the edge of the famous Kruger National Park in the north of the country, he grew up in the shadow of the game park's 'Big Five' and has always felt close to nature.

Having moved to landlocked Pretoria and then to Cape Town four years ago, he quickly took to surfing as a replacement for his childhood passion of skateboarding. He already had the hip and knee movements required. And, like all surfers, he quickly became concerned at the amount of debris and pollution in the world's oceans.

"I sent out a tweet about the state of the water and I had literally thousands of responses inside an hour," Steyn says. "I had never experienced anything like it before. So my interest grew as I learned about how careless we are with water, and how we take it for granted. If I can make a small difference in the world it would make a big difference to me."

It doesn't sound like a young man with millions of dollars in the bank. But then, he doesn't look or act like that either. He looks bemused when asked about his motivation to keep playing as hard and bowling as fast as he does - especially given the toll that his job takes on his body.

"I'm lucky because not only do I have the chance to experience the thrill of winning, but I also get to bowl really fast. Those two things are the best feelings in the world, better than any drugs - not that I've tried any. I love winning," Steyn says, before questioning the assertion. "Maybe it's more that I hate losing?"

"We (Deccan Chargers) lost six games off the last ball [in IPL V]. We finished bottom, but we could so easily have made the play-offs. I kicked an empty kit bag so hard when it happened for the sixth time, I almost dislocated my leg," Steyn says. "Then I kicked another one, but it was full of water bottles and I broke my toe. Stupid. I missed a couple of games. But I was mad as hell. That's the fire I hope I never lose. I wouldn't be the same cricketer without it."

His great friend and teammate, Morne Morkel, is often accused of lacking that fire in his belly. "I don't need to be angry," says Morkel. "Dale has enough anger for both of us." It is a statement that makes Steyn laugh aloud. "One day, when somebody or something does make him angry, he'll be the best bowler in the world."

Provided, of course, that Morkel is able to control and channel the rage - something Steyn hasn't always managed to do. "There have been a couple of times when I have needed to be calmed down, but that's Graeme's (Smith) job - that's for him to worry about! I've had a couple of fines in international cricket and I'm not proud of myself if I get into trouble, but it's just a consequence of what I do. When I cross the boundary rope, my personality changes. But I'm happy with that."

He may be charming and gentle off the field, but that does not mean he is 'out of touch' with his on-field persona. There is no split-personality syndrome going on. Does he enjoy the sight of fear in a batsman's eyes? "Oh, YES. Nothing better than that. Sure I see it, from time to time, and it gives me a thrill. I think 'I've got you now. You're mine.' But, as much as I love getting a batsman out, it doesn't compare to the thrill of winning the game. I really mean that. I've met a few cricketers who are more excited about their own performance than the team's, and I don't like that. At all. I'm not one of them."

His favourite tale about 'fear' comes from an encounter with Muttiah Muralitharan who suggested a 'deal' before one game. "No doosras, no bouncers when we're bowling, OK?" Steyn, who enjoys his batting every bit as much as his bowling, loved it. "You got it!" he replied.

His place as one of the greatest fast bowlers in the history of the game is already secure. If he never played another game, that would not change. It's something he is prepared to accept, but not dwell on.

"I know I'm doing well. When South Africa really needs a wicket, Graeme or AB (de Villiers) throw the ball to me. And often I'm able to give them what they need. That's all I care about. I know roughly how many wickets I have, but I don't keep track," he says. "A time may come when I do start looking at my record, but that will probably be very close to the end of my career. Right now I'm just living in the moment. I want to be a good cricketer, but I am a person first and a cricketer second. I won't always be a cricketer, but I will always be a person. So that's my priority. To be a good one."

For more insight on the IPL, read the Wisden India Extra.