Proteas pace ace Dale Steyn cemented his status as South Africa’s greatest bowler by breaking into the top 10 of the all-time Test wicket-takers on Sunday.
He and centurion Quinton de Kock were the heroes of the third day of the third Test at the Wanderers as the Proteas continue their push to whitewash Pakistan.
Wicketkeeper De Kock scored a trademark aggressive 129, hitting 14 boundaries and a six, to lift SA to 303 all out in their second innings to give the tourists a massive victory target of 381 against a fired-up home pace attack.
Pakistan started their pursuit off well, with openers Imam-ul-Haq and Shan Masood putting on 67 for the first wicket… then Steyn struck.
Starting the day on 431 wickets, the Phalaborwa Express removed both batsmen, caught by De Kock, to reduce Pakistan to 75/2.
CENTURY: Quinton de Kock. Photo: MUZI NTOMBELA/BACKPAGEPIX
That lifted the 35-year-old quick to 433 five-day scalps, level with Sri Lanka’s Rangana Herath and Stuart Broad of England.
When play resumes at 10.30 am this morning, Steyn and his teammates need seven wickets to win the match with their opponents needing 228 runs to claim the consolation victory.
South Africa has an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Test top 10 wicket takers
1. Muttiah Muralitharan (ICC/SL) 800
2. Shane Warne (AUS) 708
3. Anil Kumble (INDIA) 619
4. Jimmy Anderson (ENG) 565
5. Glenn McGrath (AUS) 563
6. Courtney Walsh (WI) 519
7. Kapil Dev (INDIA) 434
8. Dale Steyn (SA) 433