Dale Steyn Joins Shaun Pollock as South Africa's Leading Wicket-Taker in Tests

Dale Steyn has joined veteran Shaun Pollock as South Africa’s leading wicket-getter in the longest version of the game. Speedster Steyn, who was stranded on 419 wickets, required three more wickets to leapfrog the former South African skipper.

However, the Proteas pack leader took two wickets in the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle to level with Pollock. Thus, Steyn now has 421 Test scalps to his name.

Interestingly, Steyn has taken 21 Tests fewer than Shaun Pollock to get to the landmark.

The 35-year-old Steyn reached the milestone while playing his 87th Test match. However, Pollock had got there in 108 Test matches.

Former South African paceman Makhaya Ntini had taken 390 Test wickets while Allan Donald had scalped 330 wickets during his career for the South African team.

Meanwhile, Dale Steyn is one of the best red ball bowlers in the world. In fact, he remained at the numero uno position in the ICC Test rankings from 2008 to 2015.

However, a spate of injuries has mostly kept him on the sidelines in the last couple of years.

On the other hand, South Africa have their backs against the wall in the first Test against Sri Lanka. They have been set a gargantuan target of 352 runs on a difficult pitch which is providing aid for the spinners.

However, the tourists had skittled out for a paltry 126 in their first innings in reply to Sri Lanka’s 287 runs. Therefore, the Proteas batting line-up has failed to deliver the goods.

Meanwhile, Dimuth Karunaratne has done the majority of scoring for Sri Lanka.

The southpaw batsman was able to carry his bat in the first innings for his brilliant 158. Furthermore, the left-hander carried his form in the second innings as he scored a fine 60.

Thus, the visitors will need a miracle to rescue them from the apocalypse they find themselves in.