South African pacer Dale Steyn, on Tuesday, announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. He made the announcement via a social media post. As he brought down the curtain on an illustrious curtain, the cricket fraternity congratulated the 38-year-old.
During his outstanding career, he played 93 Tests, 125 ODIs and 47 T20Is and picked 439, 196 and 64 respectively for his South African team.
“It’s been 20 years of training, matches, travel, wins, losses, strapped feat, jet lag, joy, and brotherhood. There are too many memories to tell. To many faces to thank. So I left it to the experts to sum up, my favourite band, the Counting Crows,” Steyn wrote in his announcement.
Congratulating him for an excellent career, former India opener Virender Sehwag wrote: “Go well, great man. You were fire, one of the best the game has seen.”
“Many congratulations on an outstanding career @DaleSteyn62. You can be mighty proud of what you have achieved. Wishing you the best for the second innings,” he tweeted.
“Legend! No greater fast bowler in all conditions! See you in the bush for a beer soon, boet!,” tweeted former England skipper and batsman Kevin Pietersen.
Steyn’s former teammate AB de Villiers, who has already retired from the game, also tweeted: “Great player, great man, amazing memories! U picker a good song to sign off my bud. Legend forever!”
Steyn got his South Africa cap in 2004. He made his Test debut against England in Port Elizabeth.
Steyn made his ODI debut for Africa XI against Asia XI in 2005 at Centurion. His best figures, 6/39, came against Pakistan in Port Elizabeth in 2013.
In 2007, Steyn made his T20I debut against New Zealand and in his second game – against West Indies – he recorded career-best figures of 3-0-9-4.
His last ODI was against Sri Lanka in 2019 while the T20I against Australia in February last year turned out to be his last international fixture.