09.09.2021,15:09 418 0

Fast Bowling Legend Dale Steyn Retires from all Cricket

Dale Steyn, the fast-bowling legend of South Africa, has retired for all cricket. Steyn, who announced his decision on 31 August, represented South Africa in 47 T20Is, 125 ODIs, and 93 test matches. His wickets included 64 in T20Is, 196 in ODIs and 439 in test matches. Earlier in August 2019, the pacer stopped playing tests in a bid to prolong his cricket career after suffering a spate of injuries.

Dale Steyn’s Career Highlights
	Matches	Wickets	Average	Best Bowling
Test Matches	93	439	22.95	7/51
ODIs	125	196	25.95	6/39
T20Is	47	64	18.35	4/9
IPL	95	97	25.85	3/8

Contents

International Debut in 2015
Retirement Statement to Media
Success in League Cricket
Injury Hit Career

International Debut in 2015

p>Steyn played his first international game in 2005. In the match at Centurion, he represented an Africa XI against an Asia XI. With great success in both white ball cricket and test matches, Steyn returned his best bowling figures of 6 for 39 in 2013 against Pakistan in Port Elizabeth. After playing his first T20I game versus New Zealand in 2007, Steyn achieved his best haul of wickets in the very next match versus the West Indies, wherein he returned figures of 4/9 from three overs. In 2019, Dale played his final ODI versus Sri Lanka before featuring for one last time in a T20I against Australia in February 2020.

Retirement Statement to Mediap>While announcing his retirement in a statement to media, Steyn said,

“And it’s been a long December and there’s reason to believe maybe this year will be better than last. I can’t remember all the times I tried to tell myself to hold on to these moments as they pass.”

“It’s been 20 years since training, matches, travel, wins, losses, strapped feet, jetlag, joy, and brotherhood. There are too many memories to tell. Too many faces to thank. So, I left it to the experts to sum up, my favourite band, the Counting Crows.”

“Today I officially retire from the game I love the most. Bitter sweet but grateful. Thank you everyone, from family to teammates, journalists to fans, it’s been an incredible journey together.”

Success in League Cricketp>The thirty-eight year old fast bowler has also enjoyed great success in league cricket. He has played for numerous teams, including IPL teams such as Deccan Chargers, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Gujarat Lions. He has also represented Brisbane Heat, Cape Town Blitz, Cape Town Knight Riders, Glasgow Giants, Islamabad United, Jamaica Tallawahs, Kandy Tuskers, Melbourne Stars, and Quetta Gladiators. Earlier this year, Steyn opted out of IPL 2021, while insisting that he was not retiring. Steyn last appeared in league cricket, in March 2021, when he played in the PSL.

Injury Hit Careerp>Steyn suffered injuries throughout his career. After a shoulder injury in 2015 during a test match versus England at Durban, he underwent surgery. Unfortunately, the injury recurred in a test match against Australia at Perth in 2016. Steyn made a comeback to test cricket during India’s tour of South Africa in 2018. But he had to opt out of the remainder of the series after injuring his heel in the Cape Town test. He was back to taking international wickets, versus Pakistan and Sri Lanka, in 2018-19. A shoulder injury sustained in IPL 2019 kept Steyn out of contention for a place in the SA squad for the ODI world cup that year.