WEB DESK: South Africa pace stalwart Dale Steyn has announced his retirement from Test cricket. The 36-year-old played 93 Tests from 2004 to 2019 and picked 439 wickets.
Steyn, who played his first Test against England at Port Elizabeth in December 2004, also played his last Test at the same venue (against Sri Lanka on February 2019).
“It’s terrible to consider never playing another Test again but what’s more terrifying is the thought of never playing again at all,” Dale Steyn said in a statement.
“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,” the pacer added.
The bowler who took South Africa to the summit with pace, skill and drama said: “Today I walk away from a format of the game I love so much. In my opinion Test cricket is the best version of this game. It tests you mentally, physically, emotionally.”
Dale Steyn was part of South Africa’s 2019 World Cup squad but he returned home without playing a single match following a second shoulder injury.
Dale Steyn is South Africa’s leading wicket-taker in Test cricket and is 8th in the list of highest wicket-takers overall in the longest format.
