'Best in the World': Marco Jansen Reacts to Dale Steyn's High Praise
South African star Marco Jansen reacts to Dale Steyn calling him the best cricketer in the world after a dominant display against Australia.
South African all-rounder Marco Jansen has found himself at the center of a glowing endorsement from one of the greatest fast bowlers to ever play the game. After a series of match-defining performances, legendary compatriot Dale Steyn took to social media to declare Jansen the "best cricketer in the world," a claim that is gaining traction given the all-rounder's current form.
A Masterclass at St George's Park
The praise comes as Jansen leads the charge in the second ICC World Test Championship fixture against Australia in Gqeberha. In a match that was initially hampered by rain during the first two days, Jansen stepped up to shift the momentum firmly in South Africa's favor.
The tall all-rounder displayed his versatility by smashing a superb 85 with the bat, contributing significantly to the Proteas' first-innings total of 425/9 declared. This effort was bolstered by captain Temba Bavuma's massive 179 and Simon Harmer's 82. Jansen didn't stop there; he then tore through the Australian batting lineup, claiming a five-wicket haul to help bundle the visitors out for a meager 99 runs on day four.
Humble Response to Legendary Praise
Despite the bold claim from Steyn, Jansen remained humble when discussing the compliment. While he admitted it was "nice to hear," he revealed that he spends a significant amount of time introspecting about his game.
"But sometimes I am cuckoo in the head. I sit late at night, and I think of how I want to play and how I want to be as a cricketer. They are deep questions and hard questions that I ask myself," Jansen shared, as quoted by the ICC.
The 26-year-old emphasized that his primary goal is not individual accolades but becoming a reliable asset for his teammates, stating, "At the end of the day, I just want to be a player the team can lean on. Especially in hard or tough moments."
The Rankings and the Road to Victory
Steyn's assertion isn't just based on emotion; the statistics support the argument. Currently, in the ICC Men's Test All-Rounder Rankings, only India's veteran Ravindra Jadeja sits above Jansen, placing the South African firmly among the elite of the sport.
As the match enters its final day, South Africa is in a commanding position, needing only six more wickets to secure a series-levelling victory. Australia currently trails by 170 runs, though the task remains challenging for the Proteas.
The Final Hurdle
Jansen is well aware that the job isn't finished. With Australian opener Travis Head remaining unbeaten on 87* and stalwarts like Steve Smith and Alex Carey still waiting to bat, the all-rounder knows that patience will be key.
Reflecting on the nature of the long format, Jansen noted: "Test cricket is all about resilience, coupled with consistency. It's very easy to let the game leak. For us, it's just all about trying to do the right thing for as long as possible."
He concluded by highlighting the mental toughness required for the sport, stating that resilience isn't just about fighting when your back is against the wall, but about making the right decisions and sticking to a plan regardless of the circumstances.