Dale Steyn has retired from all forms of cricket. Although he retired from Test cricket in 2019, this time he has taken his shoes off forever.
This man had such a remarkable career that every phase of it is a story. But this article is not a biography, it’s a view of him and his career from a cricket lover’s perspective.
If we go back to his Test debut, against England in 2004, we see a skinny lad of medium height, bowling aggressive and fast with swing. He bowled Marcus Trescothick and his celebration was overwhelming. Oh, that was the first of many, wasn’t it?
If fast bowling is an art then Steyn is the artist. From the run-up to the follow-through, his bowling was all about beauty.
With a fast, long and smooth run-up, an absolute effortless style of delivery, and a pair of furious eyes, Steyn had all the attributes a pace bowler should have.
We all know how dangerous swing bowlers are but few bowl fast. That Steyn could swing both ways with a high speed made him something special.
When the pitch was rough he used the seam intelligently. Who could forget his bowling against Brad Haddin, when he bowled the Aussie twice in a Test match with beautiful seam-swing bowling? Creating uneven bounce, cutters and yorkers made him a deadly force.
Struggling early in his career, Steyn’s prime started in 2007 and he never looked back. He was a conquerer all over the world – it didn’t matter the country, the pitch or the conditions. Just a small stat to remember, his bowling average away from South Africa is 24.23, while his home average is 21.62.
Playing in Asia as a fast bowler is a nightmare, but he took 92 wickets at an average of 24.11! The really impressive part was that he created seam-swing movement on those dead pitches. His masterclass of taking seven wickets in an innings in Nagpur against India will never be forgetten.
Two recent years picture people may have in their mind about Steyn are the 2015 ODI World Cup semi-final and going past Shaun Pollock as the leading wicket-taker in Test cricket for South Africa.
That 2015 game was probably South Africa’s best chance to win their first World Cup but the final hour’s play against New Zealand and a Grant Elliot masterclass denied them.
Injuries in the latter part of his career has caused it to come to an end.
But Dale Steyn is not a number, not a stat, not a trophy. This man is beauty and myth.
If someone had never seen a fast bowler at work let me choose one from the total history of cricket, with due respect to all other fast bowlers, I would pick Dale Steyn.
Nat
Roar Guru
My fav Steyn moments was when he would steam in, bowl and give the batter a deathly glare. Turn away and smile as he walked back. I love a character, especally when it came with brilliance.
jman0076
Roar Rookie
Never saw enough of him tbh, but he reminded me a bit of Shane Bond, both players careers probably derailed early by injuries I guess. But without doubt he would have been one scary mofo to face on the crease.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Just to be clear l was talking about DK
Keith Griffen
Guest
That's the biggest reason why steyn should be considered the best. In this era of big bats, short boundaries, flat pitches he could still get wickets. If you compare Sir Ambrose who averaged 20.99 in an era where slogging was not on, you have to give credit to steyn who averages 22.xx now
Keith Griffen
Guest
How so? He even got a 10 wicket haul at the mcg.
Marty
Roar Rookie
He was a jet, loved watching him bowl. Could do it all.
Paul
Roar Guru
I just Googled Kommetjie and he's chosen a beautiful part of South Africa to live. I've lived in the tropics most of my life, so any time the water temperature get's below 20, I struggle. Going surfing in water as cold as you suggest has no future for me and by the sounds of it, he could lose some toes to frost bite. :happy:
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Lots of practice
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
In an era when batting averages were higher due to shortened boundaries and bigger bats and helmets and restrictions on the number of bouncers, he has an average that stacks up with any fast bowler in history and took a wicket every 42.3 balls he bowled. In front of him are guys who bowled 120 years ago plus Shane Bond who, as brilliant as he was, only took 87 wickets, and Rabada who is special but early in his career. A compelling case can be made for him being the best fast bowler ever. And he was a joy to watch - the game was always exciting when he was bowling.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Well he did say at least no more sore toes.... But geez he lives in Kommetjie near Capetown and an avid surfer.. Do you have any idea how cold the Atlantic Ocean is on that side.. I'll settle for sore toes any day.. :laughing:
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
He played the cameo role of himself really well too in that Adam Sandler movie too, it must be said.
U
Roar Rookie
Apart from being a great bowler, he’s a really good competitor and man too
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
In most conditions; not all.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Who? Lillee on the subcontinent? Not at all. Great bowler in Australia, England and New Zealand though, prolly would have been pretty good in SAffie land as well, and never got a genuine chance in the Caribbean.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Mercs were very good off road and durable. Look at the ME. Cowan won the London to Sydney in one. So I take it that he had his successes
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Yes, he was certainly not a hilux for tough roads off the beaten track. McGrath was.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I'd rate Holding, Dizzy above Steyn for beauty of delivery.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Both bowled in differing eras, he was the Mercedes bowler
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Except in Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
The Undeniability of Dennis was undeniable