South Africa vs Sri Lanka 2019: I Am Not On 430-Odd, I Am On 20 Wickets - Dale Steyn

The man, who showed the true meaning of aggression in fast bowling to the world finally reached the glorious feat. Dale Steyn surpassed the former legendary fast bowler Shaun Pollack to become the leading wicket-taker for South Africa in Test cricket. In a most-recent record, he surpassed Indian legend Kapil Dev as well.

It has been a brilliant return for South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn. The flamboyant fast bowler has delivered the goods incredibly well after return to the professional cricket from a shoulder injury. Meanwhile, he delivered yet again by bowling a 10-over spell without any break in between.

Hopefully, I Can Continue This For A Longer – Dale Steyn

Dale Steyn is pretty happy that he delivered the required goods in the three-match series against Pakistan. Further, he added that bowling a long spell and hitting those good lengths on a consistent basis has pleased him to start things afresh. He believes that he is on 20 wickets after breaking Pollock’s record.

“After not playing for two years, I feel like it’s a blessing to just be playing again. I’ve almost had to start over. I’m not on 430-odd wickets, I’m on 20 since breaking Shaun Pollock’s record. It’s nice to finish a three-Test series against Pakistan and not have someone write: ‘He’s an injury away from retiring.’ It’s nice to contribute again. Hopefully I can continue this for longer,” Steyn said.

“When I’m bowling 10-over spells, it shows I’m enjoying what I do. I could take the easy option, take 4 for 30 and go and stand at fine leg and tell someone else to do it. But it’s fun. It’s fun taking wickets. It’s fun hitting guys on the head. As long as nothing serious happens,” he added.

After 15 years, I got some of that:

After staying away from the game for quite a period, he made a stunning comeback with his great determination in the rehabilitation phase. He overcame all the odds and delivering the goods on a regular basis, across the formats. Meanwhile, he explains how to execute the plan,

“The moment I can’t bowl 140-145 kph, and on a good day touch 150 kph like in fast Australian wickets, then you’ve got to ask yourself the question: How good am I? I’ve got to be honest – I don’t have all the skill in the world. I’ve got to bowl at a high pace consistently, over a long period of time,” he added.

”With a little bit of skill – I can shape it away, and I can bring it back in. You’ve got to be smart about when to bowl a bouncer, when to bowl a yorker, and when to bowl a slower ball, and that’s what experience is. After 15 years, I’ve got some of that,” Dale Steyn inferred while speaking to ESPN Cricinfo.

All in all, it has been a great ride for Dale Steyn in the International Cricket. The way he returned to the game is quite a story, which can be a great motivation for the young lads out there. Thankfully, he wants to extend his career without any thoughts on retirement.