South African fast bowler and the country's highest Test wicket-taker, Dale Steyn, announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on Tuesday.
Announcement. pic.twitter.com/ZvOoeFkp8w
— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) August 31, 2021
Taking to Twitter, Steyn said “Today, I officially retire from the game I love the most. Bittersweet but grateful.”
He said, "It's been 20 years of training, matches, travel, wins, losses, strapped feet, jet lag, joy, and brotherhood."
"Thank you to everyone, from family to teammates, journalists to fans, it's been an incredible journey together," he added.
Steyn retired from Test cricket in 2019 but had been available for ODIs and T20Is. Steyn had even hoped to play at the Twenty20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates later this year, though he had not featured in the team since February last year.
Steyn took 699 international wickets and is regarded as one of the best fast bowlers of his generation with extreme pace in his prime and the ability to swing the ball in both directions.
Steyn took a total of 439 Test wickets in his 20-year career and was ranked 1st for six years according to the International Cricket Council's rankings.
The fast-bowler took 196 wickets in the ODI format and 64 wickets in T20Is.
