South Africa’s Dale Steyn was the No 1 Test bowler for 263 weeks between 2008-14. Photograph: Anesh Debiky/AFP via Getty Images South Africa cricket team ‘It’s been an incredible journey,’ says Steyn of 18-year career

The South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn has announced his retirement. The 38-year-old, considered one of the finest bowlers of his generation, made the announcement on social media, calling time on his 18-year professional career.

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

Steyn, who made his Test debut in 2004 on home soil against England, said: “It’s been 20 years of training, matches, travel, wins, losses, strapped feet, jet lag, joy, and brotherhood. There are too many stories to tell. Too many faces to thank.”

Steyn appeared in 93 Tests for South Africa, taking 439 wickets, and played his last Test against Sri Lanka in 2019 before announcing his retirement from Test cricket in August that year to focus on limited-overs cricket.

He played for four County Championship sides – Essex, Warwickshire, Glamorgan and Hampshire – and joined Kandy Tuskers for the 2020 Lanka Premier League in November last year.

Steyn was named ICC 2008 Test Cricketer of the Year and Wisden’s Leading Cricketer in the World in 2013 and was No 1 bowler in the ICC Test rankings for a record 263 weeks between 2008 and 2014.

Source: The Guardian

Powered by NewsAPI.org