Dale Steyn announces retirement from Test cricket

Another cricketer has called time on Test cricket to prolong his white-ball career. This time, it is none other than the South African legend Dale Steyn. The 36-year old has been plagued by various injuries and has thus decided to call quits on the five-day format. The pace bowler will continue to serve South Africa in white-ball cricket. Steyn remains available for ODIs and T20Is.

The ‘Phalaborwa’ express made his Test debut against England at Port Elizabeth in 2004. With his pace touching 150 kmph, Steyn broke through the defences of batsmen with his lethal outswinger. In the span of 15 years, the right-arm bowler played in 93 Tests and collected 439 wickets. Steyn played his last Test at the ground of his debut. In his last game (February 2019), the pacer delivered 18 overs across two innings but remained wicketless against Sri Lanka.

Steyn retires with a stunning bowling average of 22.95 runs per wicket. He took a wicket in every seven overs (Strike rate – 42.3). The South African retires as the fifth most successful fast bowler in Test history. He is also the highest wicket-taker for South Africa in Tests as he is 18 wickets clear of Shaun Pollock.

JUST IN: After 93 Tests and 439 Test wickets, Dale Steyn has announced his retirement from Test cricket. pic.twitter.com/3l1XmWKvvn

— ICC (@ICC) August 5, 2019