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Dale Steyn has spiced things up on the eve of South Africa's ICC Champions Trophy opener against Sri Lanka by insisting "no side can match" his team.
The 26-year-old paceman is set to spearhead the Proteas attack at Centurion Park as they look to affirm their status as the world's top One-Day International outfit.
And Steyn does not give a Sri Lankan team, considered dangerous outsiders for the two-million-dollar first prize, much hope of causing an upset in Tuesday's day-night fixture.
"I believe that this team has played fantastic one-day and Test cricket in the last year and we have really hit our straps," Steyn said.
"If the team play to their potential, and this might sound cocky, I really believe no side can match us at the Champions Trophy.
"Sri Lanka have not been here for a long time apart from those players who came for the Indian Premier League and that was during winter when the ball was not doing a lot and it was Twenty20 cricket." The hosts have been drawn in a group with New Zealand and England as well, with the top two teams making it through to the tournament's semi-finals.
The 26-year-old paceman is set to spearhead the Proteas attack at Centurion Park as they look to affirm their status as the world's top One-Day International outfit.
And Steyn does not give a Sri Lankan team, considered dangerous outsiders for the two-million-dollar first prize, much hope of causing an upset in Tuesday's day-night fixture.
"I believe that this team has played fantastic one-day and Test cricket in the last year and we have really hit our straps," Steyn said.
"If the team play to their potential, and this might sound cocky, I really believe no side can match us at the Champions Trophy.
"Sri Lanka have not been here for a long time apart from those players who came for the Indian Premier League and that was during winter when the ball was not doing a lot and it was Twenty20 cricket." The hosts have been drawn in a group with New Zealand and England as well, with the top two teams making it through to the tournament's semi-finals.
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