Legendary career: Dale Steyn’s illustrious records in international cricket

One of the finest fast bowlers ever, Dale Steyn announced retirement from all forms of cricket on Tuesday (August 31). The 38-year-old broke the major news through a heartfelt post on Twitter. The right-arm speedster was indeed a force to reckon with for the major part of his career and his numbers speak volumes of his prowess. The South African star could swing the ball both ways and that too at a brisk pace.

He also possessed a précised yorker and a vicious bouncer in his arsenal. If one has to summarize, Steyn was a complete bowler and many prominent batters have gone down against him. Notably, the Proteas legend belonged to the rare breed of fast bowlers who shone in the sub-continental nations as well. As far as his numbers are concerned, Steyn has 439, 196, and 64 wickets in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is respectively.

Announcement. pic.twitter.com/ZvOoeFkp8w

— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) August 31, 2021

While Steyn might not take the field again, his heroics won’t be forgotten till the game of cricket exists. In his illustrious career, the legendary fast bowler also made and broke many prominent records. Let’s have a look at them.

Fastest pacer to 400 Test wickets

For the major part of his Test career, Steyn spitted venom with the red cherry. All thanks to his versatility, the speedster took wickets in several conditions. While he exploited swing in New Zealand and England, the veteran used bounce to good effect in South Africa and India. As far as matches in the sub-continent are concerned, Steyn generated reverse swing. As a result, Steyn in the joint-fastest pacer alongside New Zealand’s Richard Hadlee to reach 400 Test wickets.

Fastest fast bowlers to complete 400 Test wickets

Named most times in ICC Test Team of the Year:

A side certainly needs a formidable bowling attack to thrive in the longest format. After all, 20 wickets are required to win a Test match. Owing to the same, Steyn’s wicket-taking ability made him an absolute match-winner for the rainbow nation. In fact, the fast bowler has been named eight times in the ICC Test team of the Year, most for any player. He featured in the elite line-up in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2016.

Third-lowest strike rate for South Africa in ODIs

Alongside thriving in Test cricket, Dale Steyn made a significant mark in white-ball cricket as well. He led South Africa’s bowling attack in ODIs for many years and took them to numerous memorable victories. In fact, his strike rate is the third-best among South African bowlers with over 100 wickets in the format.

Brilliant in T20I as well

T20I is known to be a game of batters as a bowler needs to overcome many challenges to thrive. Alongside taking wickets, an individual requires to restrict the scoring rate as well. Steyn did both the jobs precisely. A veteran of 47 T20Is, Steyn took 64 wickets in the format with his economy rate being below seven. If this is not staggering, what is?