Dale Steyn called time on his Test career on Monday, ending his 93-match spell as one of the great fast bowlers in the history of the sport.
The 36-year-old Proteas legend made his debut in 2004 as a fiery paceman and became one of the most feared speedsters of all time.
With a South African record 439 scalps, Steyn has a top-10 place in the Test pantheon and has the fifth-most wickets for a fast bowler.
But his body is starting to feel it after missing out on the recent World Cup due to a string of injuries.
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/hashtag/CSAnews?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CSAnews #BreakingNews @DaleSteyn62 has brought down the curtain on one of the great fast bowling Test careers of the modern era when he announced his retirement from red-ball cricket with immediate effect. pic.twitter.com/L3HmWXKRwV
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA)
In a statement last night, the Phalaborwa Express 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.
“It’s terrible to consider never playing another Test again but what’s more terrifying is the thought of never playing again at all.
“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.
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/OfficialCSA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OfficialCSA’s leading wicket taker of all-time. With 439 wickets, an average of 22.95 and no.1 on the ICC rankings for a record 263 weeks, we salute a legend of the game and true ambassador of the brand. Thank you @DaleSteyn62. pic.twitter.com/f4xMMtgJhS
— New Balance Cricket (@NBCricket)
“I’d like to thank everyone in cricket, no one specific, because everyone has been a part of my journey. And I look forward to continuing to play for the Proteas in the shorter formats.
“Thank you.”