'Fires, please do not dim Dale's drive’

Cold water was poured on Dale Steyn's preparations for the Ireland game, his 100th in ODIs, when he learned of mountain fires raging in Cape Town, close to his home.

"Massive fire behind my house in Stonehurst! Plz be safe and watch out for the mountain animals trying to escape it, porcupines, tortoises..." he posted on Twitter. "These little animals will also need ur help! Hope the homes don't get hit!"

Stonehurst Estate is located on the Muizenberg Mountains where multiple blazes sprung on Sunday night, forcing the closure of three main passes and evacuation of people from their home. By Monday morning, South African fire-fighters and volunteers were still trying to control the spreading flames.

Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel also live in Cape Town along with Faf du Plessis, the other player to tweet his concern, having recently purchased property close to Steyn's.

"Crazy mountain fire near my new house. Hope they can stop the fire before it does more damage," he tweeted.

Steyn has yet to hit top gear at the tournament, having taken just a wicket a game so far. He has battled sinusitis and Shikhar Dhawan, before finding some of the inner mongrel against West Indies.

But Steyn is a big-match player and South Africa are banking on him to step up later in the tournament. "I faced him a few times in the domestic scene, and it's not fun facing Dale Steyn when he's at full tilt," teammate Farhaan Behardien said. "His fire and his energy that he brings to the bowling unit are awesome."