Former Proteas superstar Dale Steyn carved his name in cricketing history as one of the greatest fast bowlers of the modern era.
A name synonymous with raw pace and pinpoint accuracy, Steyn began his international career in 2004, and by 2019, he had become South Africa’s all-time leading wicket-taker in Test cricket with a staggering 439 scalps.
He quickly rose to prominence soon after reaching the senior stage, taking wickets almost at will with his raw pace, accuracy, and lethal swing. His ability to consistently bowl at speeds exceeding 140 kmph made him a nightmare for batsmen. This, coupled with his ability to reverse swing the ball later in the innings, also made him virtually unplayable at times.
Steyn’s dominance translated into rankings. He held the number one spot in the ICC Test rankings for a record 263 weeks, a testament to his sustained excellence.
He also dismantled batting lineups across formats, taking a staggering 439 wickets in Test cricket at an average of just 22.95. His impact extended to One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20s (T20s) as well, with over 190 and 60 wickets respectively.
Steyn’s career wasn’t without its challenges. A spate of injuries plagued him after 2015, ultimately playing a part in his decision to retire from Test cricket in 2019. However, his hunger for the game remained.
He continued playing in shorter formats like T20s, featuring in franchise leagues around the world. He even had his sights set on the 2020 T20 World Cup, but a recurring shoulder problem forced him out.
Finally, in 2021, Dale Steyn officially announced his retirement from all forms of cricket, having featured in over 100 ODIs and 47 T20s.
What has former Proteas star Dale Steyn been up to since then?
After retiring, Steyn has transitioned smoothly into commentary, offering his expert insights on the game, with his engaging personality having made him a popular voice in the commentary box, while he has also become a passionate coaching consultant.
Besides his work as a cricket broadcaster, he has consistently served as a fast bowling coach in the IPL.
Away from cricket, he is well known to be a passionate surfer and fishing fanatic, while he also describes himself as a “dog dad” and “ocean dweller”.
The 41-year-old is extremely active on social media, and you can follow him on Instagram here to see more of what he’s up to these days, while spending plenty of time with professional surfer Tanika Hoffman.
WHAT ARE YOUR BEST MEMORIES FROM HIS CAREER?
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