Dale Steyn
The 36 year old fast bowler from the South Africa today bid adieu from the test cricket. Dale Steyn has always been considered as one great fast bowling legend of the modern era of cricket. Proteas fast pacer has given nightmares to many batsman from his fiery bowling.
Dale Steyn played total 93 Tests for South Africa and finished with 439 wickets with an average of 22.95. He is the highest wicket taker for South Africa in Test Cricket. Dale Steyn will continue to play in ODI and T20 International matches for South Africa. He took 5 wicket haul for 27 times in 93 test matches. He was called ‘The Phalaborwa Express’ because of his speed. Many other nicknames were given to him through out his career.
Emotional Dale Steyn said in a statement, “Today I walk away from a format of the game I love so much. In my opinion Test cricket is the best version of this game. It tests you mentally, physically, emotionally. It’s terrible to consider never playing another Test again but what’s more terrifying is the thought of never playing again at all. So I will be focusing on ODIs and T20s for the rest of my career to maximise my full potential and ensure my longevity in this sport. I’d like to thank everyone in cricket, no one specific, because everyone has been a part of my journey. And I look forward to continuing to play for the Proteas in the shorter formats ”
Dale Steyn has debuted on 13th December 2004 against England and since then he did not look back. Extremely talented bowler have suffered so many career finishing injuries but every time he conquered those obstacles and came back with a bang,. Recently he got foot injury during IPL 2019 while playing for Rajasthan Royals and he couldn’t participate World Cup 2019 and we all know South Africa suffered an embarrassing defeat and out!
Dale Steyn has given so much to the South African cricket as well as World Cricket. He is an inspiration for many youngsters and I hope he will inspire many more young brains before biding his final adieu from shorter formats of the cricket. His retirement from test matches definitely will leave a void in South African team and it would be very difficult to fill.
We wish Dale Steyn all the very best and we want him to enjoy rest of his years as ODI and T20 players!