Cricket Fraternity Congratulates Dale Steyn On An Illustrious Test Career

The legendary fast bowler from South Africa, Dale Steyn has decided to retire from Test cricket with immediate effect. The veteran pacer said that the decision was taken in a bid to prolong his career in white-ball cricket. Steyn will be on national contracts; thus, he will be available to play for South Africa in the ODIs and T20Is.

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Steyn retires from Test cricket

Dale Steyn bows out as the highest wicket-taker with 439 wickets in 93 Test matches, having overtaken Shaun Pollock earlier this year. One of the leading Test bowlers of all time, Steyn was ranked the No. 1 Test bowler for a record 263 weeks between 2008 and 2014. He won the ICC’s Test Cricketer of the Year award in 2008 and was one of Wisden’s cricketers of the year in 2013. In the following year, he was named the almanack’s Leading Cricketer in the World.

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The 36-year-old Dale Steyn in his retirement speech confessed his love for Test cricket and said that five-day format is the best format of the game. He also stated the reason for bidding farewell to Test cricket. Steyn said that it’s better to play cricket rather than not playing cricket again.

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“Today I walk away from a format of the game I love so much,” Steyn said. “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,” Steyn said.

Dale Steyn’s retirement garnered a lot of reaction among the former cricketers and the fans across the globe. From his teammates to legend like Sachin Tendulkar, former cricketers took to Twitter to congratulate the star cricketer on Twitter.

Twitter reactions:

Wishing you all the very best for the future @DaleSteyn62. You always challenged batsmen to bring their A-game to the ground.
It’s been a joy to watch you bowl and play against you. pic.twitter.com/CndQbGsOU4

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) August 6, 2019

Been away for a bit, congratulations @DaleSteyn62 on a fabulous fabulous career. That ball to @MichaelVaughan will be fresh in the minds of all cricket lovers. #DaleSteyn

— Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) August 6, 2019

Congratulations @DaleSteyn62 on a fantastic Test career. Test Cricket will miss you , but I cherish the times we played against each other and wish you the very best in retirement. pic.twitter.com/sf5dmn7gUa

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) August 6, 2019

Best in the business… one of the luminaries of red ball cricket. Farewell @DaleSteyn62!

— Pragyan Prayas Ojha (@pragyanojha) August 6, 2019

Too many memories to mention! We started together many years back and I had the privilege and front row seats of watching @DaleSteyn62 turn into the best bowler of his time. You are the greatest, an even better… https://t.co/Ujgv54bKTI

— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) August 5, 2019

A true champion of the game.
Happy retirement to the pace machine @DaleSteyn62 ???

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) August 5, 2019

The game will miss @Bazmccullum,an unbelievable player. From the outside he’s a guy that did everything for his team mates and country. And Test cricket will miss my hero @DaleSteyn62, loved his passion

— Graham Onions (@BunnyOnions) August 5, 2019

@DaleSteyn62 Dalo! I'm really saddened to hear about your retirement today but I'm certainly celebrating your career with millions of others around the world. A true great, a fierce competitor, a wonderful bloke off the pitch. And a proper knock in Bloem that day. Go well bud pic.twitter.com/qkw04yloTr

— Brendan Taylor (@BrendanTaylor86) August 5, 2019

Take A Bow – @DaleSteyn62! You’ve been the best fast bowler in this modern day era!

Pleasure to play against you and with you! Let’s sink some beers in the bush soon…!

Retirement is SOOOO good!

— Kevin Pietersen? (@KP24) August 5, 2019

Congrats on a wonderful career buddy & yes you did entertain us all ! Well done @DaleSteyn62 ! The game is poorer without you mate https://t.co/WiGcCa7ObM

— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) August 5, 2019

What a bowler…@DaleSteyn62 brought the heat! Congratulations on a terrific tast career Hoooolio…..#Thebest https://t.co/DL7g3C2uta

— Roelof van der Merwe (@Roela52) August 5, 2019

.@DaleSteyn62 at his best was like a horror show and to face him quality couldn't be compromised! Good luck for the future champion. pic.twitter.com/e9vO5YcNor

— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) August 5, 2019

Without a shadow of a doubt the best bowler I’ve played with in every condition ?? Besides the skill he was the probably the coolest fast bowler around ? ? ?? Welcome to the real world @DaleSteyn62 #legend Loved every minute of how you played your heart out for our country??

— Robin John Peterson (@robbie13flair) August 5, 2019

What an athlete,bowler and overall nutter @DaleSteyn62 ! From your first test match I knew you were something special and your numbers back that up perfectly. Your bouncer wasn’t slow either? congrats ??

— Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru) August 5, 2019

Congrats @DaleSteyn62 on a wonderful Test career. Always knew you were in a battle batting against him and one you would do very well not to lose!

— Matt Prior (@MattPrior13) August 5, 2019

The greatest of his generation. Stats don’t lie and @DaleSteyn62 test stats is the best . I know how much test cricket means to you bud and how badly you still wanted to achieve more . Hopefully we will still see a lot of this action. #? pic.twitter.com/qMglFgfZ9U

— Faf Du Plessis (@faf1307) August 5, 2019

What a player, bowler, legend, man, best in the business!! @DaleSteyn62 congrats on a special career!

— Alviro Petersen (@AlviroPetersen) August 5, 2019