Steyn smashes bowling record
Former Proteas captains AB de Villiers and Shaun Pollock led the applause for record-breaker Dale Steyn on Wednesday after he became SA’s most successful Test bowler during the first session of day one of the Boxing Day Test in Centurion.
De Villiers referred to Steyn as “simply the best” and a “legend” while Pollock‚ who held the record for almost 11 years‚ labelled him as the best Test fast bowler SA has produced.
Steyn claimed his 422nd Test wicket to overtake Pollock.
The unforgettable moment came after 6.1 overs when he bowled a length delivery that Fakhar Zaman edged straight to Dean Elgar at third slip.
“Dale Steyn‚ we salute you. What a man‚ what a player.
“Fitting that ‘Simply the best’ is playing at SuperSport Park where everything started. Congrats legend‚” was a social media post by De Villiers.
Pollock said: “A heartfelt congratulations to Dale‚ he’s been a fantastic bowler for SA for long. His performances home and away have been remarkable in so many ways.
“The fact that he is the best Test fast bowler that SA has produced doesn’t require my endorsement as his statistics and record tell you that. He’s fully deserving of holding the record for most Test wickets and I hope he goes on to take many more and continues winning games for the Proteas.”
Former England captain Michael Vaughan‚ who was Steyn’s first Test victim‚ congratulated him as a top man and great bowler.
“The man who flattened my off stump with his 1st Test wicket is now the leading wicket taker in SA Test History. Well done Dale Steyn‚ great bowler and top man‚” he said in a tweet.
Cricket South Africa chief executive Thabang Moroe also congratulated Steyn.
“Dale is undoubtedly one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time and we are all very proud of his achievements‚ not just today‚ but throughout his chequered career‚” he said.
“He has been a star performer wherever he has played.”