World T20: Give Steyn time to be back at his best, says Barnes

CHENNAI: A shocking loss against England in a high-scoring clash followed by a win in their subsequent encounter against Afghanistan has been South Africa's World T20 story thus far.

However, what has been demoralizing for the Proteas has been the below-par performance of Dale Steyn - who went for 35 from his two overs against England and didn't find a place in the playing XI against Afghanistan.

Former South African bowling coach Vincent Barnes, who was with the side for over eight years and has been part of two ODI World Cups - 2007 and 2011 - believes the Proteas have the wherewithal to make it to the semis. "Look, they are a unit that has a lot of quality in their ranks. The game against England could have gone either way , and I feel the win against Afghanistan should give us a lot of confidence when we face West Indies at Nagpur," Barnes, presently a part of the South Africa women's team support staff, told TOI on Tuesday .

Barnes, who shares a great personal rapport with Steyn, felt the speedster will bounce back in this format after having an off-day against England. "I have known him for long. I first saw him as a youngster in 2002 when he came in to bowl at the Northern Academy in Pretoria.

He looked quick, sharp and I knew he would play for a long time for the Proteas. Steyn knows what he needs to do to be back among wickets and when I spoke to him recently -the hunger was very much there," Barnes mentioned.

According to the 56-year-old, Steyn needs to be given time in order to be back at his best. "He is coming back from an injury and must be given time. Steyn knows the conditions here better than anybody else -having played so many seasons of Indian Premier League (IPL) here," said Barnes.

Having worked with the likes of Shaun Pollock, Makhaya Ntini, Lance Klusener among others during his stint with the South Africa men's side, Barnes rates Steyn as the best.

"He is a different person when he gets into the field. Steyn's attitude is what separates him from the rest and I do see a lot of myself in him," said Barnes who played during the apartheid era, taking 323 wickets at an average of 11.95 from 68 first-class games.