Dale Steyn has warned Australia’s batsmen to be on alert as the South African pacer has been given a license to attack.

– LIVE: Ball-by-ball updates of Pakistan vs New Zealand Second Test – Day Three
– Pakistan in trouble after New Zealand total 403 in Dubai second Test

In 12 ODIs this year Steyn has just 20 wickets but with the World Cup looming, Proteas captain AB De Villiers wants his premier strike bowler to up the aggression.

Thankfully, for Australia, Michael Clarke will not be fit for today’s match, the captain and Steyn involved in a much-publicised on-field spat nine months ago in Cape Town.

Ahead of today’s third ODI in Canberra with the series at 1-1, Steyn said: “He’s given me a license to run in and try to hit the stumps and attack the body a little bit more.

“So I feel like I might go for a couple more runs, which is fine.

"Generally when you are attacking, you’re bowling more boundary deliveries but you might pick up a couple more wickets too.”

Steyn will have to work hard for wickets at the Manuka Oval with Australia’s last score in the capital 329-7 against the West Indies.

He admits now is the time for experimenting before the World Cup.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to figure out how we’re going to pick up wickets, because wickets are what slows the game down,” he added. “I can only do that by bowling two lengths: full and short.”