Published: Aug 05, 2019, 08:39 PM (IST)
Edited: Aug 05, 2019, 08:42 PM (IST)
Veteran South Africa pacer Dale Steyn on Monday announced his retirement from Test cricket. Steyn, who represented South Africa in 93 Tests after making his debut in December 2004, scalped 439 wickets, most for a Protea pacer.
Steyn, 36, last played a Test when South Africa faced Sri Lanka in February earlier this year. In his illustrious career, Steyn scalped 25 five-wicket hauls and 5 ten-wicket hauls.
While 7/51 remains his best figures in a Test innings, 11/60 remains his best figures a Test match.
“He continues to be a national contracted player for the 2019/2020 season in white-ball cricket and therefore remains available for the Standard Bank Proteas in both One-Day International and T20 International cricket,” said Cricket South Africa.
“Today I walk away from a format of the game I love so much. In my opinion Test cricket is the best version of this game. It tests you mentally, physically, emotionally,” said Steyn as he decided to quit the longest format of the game.
#CSAnews #BreakingNews @DaleSteyn62 has brought down the curtain on one of the great fast bowling Test careers of the modern era when he announced his retirement from red-ball cricket with immediate effect. pic.twitter.com/L3HmWXKRwV
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) August 5, 2019
“It’s terrible to consider never playing another Test again but what’s more terrifying is the thought of never playing again at all. So I will be focusing on ODIs and T20s for the rest of my career to maximise my full potential and ensure my longevity in this sport,” added Steyn.
““I’d like to thank everyone in cricket, no one specific, because everyone has been a part of my journey. And I look forward to continuing to play for the Proteas in the shorter formats. Thank you,” he concluded.
“He has been one of the standout fast bowlers in world cricket. He has led the South African attack brilliantly and has set the standard for our future generations to follow,” said CSA chief executive Thabang Moroe.
“More than that he has been a wonderful mentor to our next generation of speedsters,” added Moroe.
“We were saddened to hear of his decision, but it is one that management has to accept, and we thank him for his significant contribution to the sport and to the nation and wish him everything of the very best for the future,” concluded Moroe.
