One of the great swing bowlers of all time Dale Steyn has announced his retirement from Test cricket with immediate effect.
In a statement on Monday, Steyn however confirmed that he will still be available for ODIs and T20Is “to maximise my full potential and ensure my longevity in this sport.”
Steyn ends his magnificent Test career with an imperious record of 439 wickets from 93 matches.
The Proteas great retires with a bowling average of 22.95, economy rate of 3.24 and best figures of 7/51.
Steyn also holds the record for most Test wickets by a South African as well as the lowest strike rate of any bowler with more than 200 Test wickets.
He topped the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Test bowling rankings for 263 weeks.
He has been in and out of the Proteas Test squad since suffering a shoulder injury during a Test against Australia in 2016.
It appears that the possibility of the injury recurring may have played a huge part in his decision.
Steyn has been a big proponent of bowlers prolonging their careers well into their 30s.
In this regard, he has often expressed his admiration for England’s James Anderson.