South Africa's Dale Steyn. - Reuters

EAST LONDON, South Africa (CMC):

DWAYNE BRAVO stated the obvious on Sunday night when he noted "we have to watch Dale Steyn" after West Indies' victory over South Africa in the opening Twenty20 International.

Bravo was responding to a question about the new South Africa firebrand, who took four wickets for nine runs in his allotted three overs.

The West Indies won the match by five wickets, but Steyn's pace, swing and accuracy caused a mid-innings collapse.

"I think we have to watch Dale Steyn and watch him very closely, and he is their trump card and from what we saw he's quick through the air and can be deadly," said Bravo, who was stand-in captain for the injured Chris Gayle.

"We have seen some footage of his bowling, and we had a good idea of what to look for, but actually getting out there and facing him is always a different ball game. We will go back and watch him again and plan how best to deal with him."

All of Steyn's victims were bowled. Devon Smith played over a full-length ball, Runako Morton was struck on the boot and the ball cannoned into the stumps, Marlon Samuels had his off-stump uprooted and Bravo missed a yorker first ball and was sent back.

Steyn, a tall, wiry 24-year-old, created a massive stir earlier in the season, when he took 20 wickets in two Test matches as South Africa beat New Zealand 2-0.

"We have some time before the first Test to do all our planning and look at what is required," Bravo said. "It won't be an easy task, and we know that, but we know what we have to do."

The first Test against South Africa will be at Sahara Park St. George's in Port Elizabeth on Boxing Day.

Before that the Windies have a four-day match against South Africa A, which bowls off today.