Blitz is too little too late

Apr 12 2007 By Brian Halford, Birmingham Mail

A BRUTAL assault by Dale Steyn failed to save Warwickshire from a 73-run defeat by Gloucestershire in a two-day friendly at Edgbaston.

Chasing the visitors' 439 for four, the Bears replied with 366, a total which owed much to a late onslaught by Steyn on his first appearance for the county.

The South African fast bowler, not noted for his batting, hammered 54 and took a particular liking to the bowling of Vinoo Bannerjee.

Steyn smashed the spinner for 28 (four sixes and a four) off one over and scored all but four of his runs in boundaries.

After Darren Maddy struck 36, Tim Ambrose top-scored with 87 while Alex Loudon looked in good nick for 54 before skying a pull.

Loudon then promptly headed for Lord's, having been called into the MCC squad for the season's curtain-raiser against champions Sussex.