Video: Dale Steyn attempts to break the GoPro!
Dale Steyn is arguably the most feared bowler in international cricket currently. The long time this South African speedster has spent at the top of the ICC rankings is proof enough of his ability as a match-winner.
The venomous mix of pace and accuracy has seen Steyn torment the best batsmen for more than a decade now. Even with Steyn crossing into the 30s, there doesn’t appear to be any reduction in the pace at which he delivers the bowl, consistently touching the 145-150kmh mark.
He is set to bolster the South African bowling attack in the upcoming ODI series against India, having been rested for the T20 leg of the tour which the visitors nevertheless went on to win without Steyn’s help. There’s no doubt however that Steyn will be raring to have a crack at the Indian batsmen starting with the 1st ODI at Rajkot on Sunday.
So no wonder that Steyn was seen sharpening his bowling skills after taking up a challenge by the manufacturers of the GoPro. The new-age camera is expected to become a regular fixture in competitive matches as broadcasters attempt to increase the viewer experience as was successfully done when Brendon McCullum sported the same during a charity match last month.
Coming to the challenge, the South African was to attempt hitting the GoPro first off a length delivery and then off a bouncer with the manufacturers aiming to test whether the GoPro could withstand the hits without breaking.
With an amateur batsman facing Steyn for the first part of the challenge, the speedster was able knock down the GoPro fixed on the stumps with just his second ball.
For the bouncer challenge, safety measures had to be esured and so the batsman was replaced by a cutout with the GoPro fixed around the region of the top of the helmet. Steyn had to wait a little longer to complete this challenge but the end result was never going to be in doubt and an elated Steyn signed off with the a “boom.”
As for the GoPro – no it didn’t break.