Five best career moments of Dale Steyn
On Monday, South African fast bowler Dale Steyn called it quits from Test cricket. The veteran pacer's career has been marred with injuries, as he decided to focus on ODIs and T20Is instead. Steyn has been a legend of red-ball cricket and one of the greatest ever to grace the game. Here we bring out the best career moments of Steyn.
An extraordinary Test career for Steyn
Steyn's love for Indian pitches a brilliant tale
In 2008, Steyn produced a superb display in Ahmedabad in the second Test match against India. Steyn's 5/23 saw India score just 76 in the first innings. They eventually lost by an innings and 90 runs. In 2010, his career-best performance in Nagpur was a world class feat. Steyn's reverse-swing bowling saw him take 7/51. Indian batsmen had no answers to his offerings.
Steyn's pace-bowling heroics against Pakistan in 2013
In 2013, Pakistan were bowled out for just 49 at the Wanderers. The Asian side posted its lowest-ever Test score. The Pakistani innings lasted 29.1 overs as the Proteas won the match by 211 runs in the end. But the moment will forever belong to Steyn. His superb figures of 8.1-6-8-6 was a delightful affair. He ended with 11 wickets in that match.
Steyn's 422nd Test wicket to surpass Pollock
On December 26, 2018, Steyn became the most successful Test bowler for South Africa. The veteran fast bowler surpassed legend Shaun Pollock in terms of Test wickets. He overcame Pollock's tally of 421 wickets during the Boxing Day Test versus Pakistan. Steyn's good length ball was too much for Fakhar Zaman, who managed to edge the same to Dean Elgar.
2008 was Steyn's best year in Test cricket
In 2008, Steyn was the leading wicket-taker with 74 wickets in Test cricket. This was one of the best moments of his illustrious career. Steyn was gigantic that year and the energy he produced was notable. SA won a historic series England (first in 43 years), the first series win in Australia and also drew the Test series in India.
Steyn's 2008 show at the MCG was top notch
Steyn was unstoppable at the MCG against the mighty Aussies. This was arguably his best Test match performance. Besides spells of 5/87 and 5/67, he also produced a valiant batting display with a 76-run knock. He dictated the show with his sheer pace, control and swing. Steyn tore the Australians apart and helped set up South Africa's first series win Down Under.
