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South African fast bowling legend Dale Steyn retires from Test cricket; Tributes pour on Twitter
Dale Steyn, with a bowling average of just over 22 in tests, ends his 15-year career as one of the best fast bowlers of the current era.
South Africa's Dale Steyn announced his retirement from Test cricket on Monday in a bid to extend his career in the limited overs. The 36-year old bowler made his debut against England in 2004, and went on to play 93 Tests, picking up 439 wickets at an astonishing average of 22.95. He is widely regarded as the best Test bowler from the current era.
Cricket South Africa tweeted a statement by Steyn, "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."
"Today I walk away from a format of the game I love so much," said the 36-year-old Steyn, his country's leading Test wicket-taker of all time and one of the top 10 in the history of the game.
"In my opinion Test cricket is the best version of this game. It tests you mentally, physically, emotionally. 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. I look forward to continuing to play for the Proteas in the shorter formats."
Cricket South Africa chief Thabang Moroe hailed the fast bowler as one of the all-time greats.
"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 a "saddened" Moroe.
"More than that he has been a wonderful mentor to our next generation of speedsters."
Steyn's career has been marred with injury, and he was ruled out of the recent World Cup as well. He had earlier been ruled out of the IPL too after playing just 2 games for RCB.
This is how Twitter paid tribute.
An actual GOAT who would walk into anyone's All Time Test XI.
