"I think Binga [is quicker], and I think Brett has proven that over a long period of time. Steyn is still relatively new to international cricket, has not played in Australian in a Test match . and neither had [Morne] Morkel," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Ponting, as saying.

"There has been a lot spoken about those two since they have been here and no doubt they will carry a bit of that burden into the first Test match [starting tomorrow in Perth]. Pace-wise, it will be there for everyone to see over the next few days, but I will back Binga every day of the week," Ponting said.

Despite the pressure being heaped on Steyn from the moment he stepped off the plane in Perth, coach Mickey Arthur said he was confident his charge had the character to lift not only himself, but also those around him.

"He''s a fantastic kid off the field. Nothing''s too much for him. He''s really good around the team," Arthur said of 25-year-old Steyn, who has taken 136 wickets in 27 Tests.
(ANI)