Steyn v Anderson: By the numbers

Cape Town - Dale Steyn and James Anderson are set to be crucial figures in the upcoming Test series between the Proteas and England.

Both players have been fighting to get fit for the Boxing Day Test in Durban on Saturday. 

Steyn appears to have passed that test, and has recovered from the groin injury that saw him miss most of last month's Test series in India. 

James Anderson, meanwhile, is touch and go. He has been battling a calf strain, and a decision on his availability in Durban is likely to be made on Thursday. 

Proteas coach Russell Domingo spoke this week of Steyn's importance to the Proteas bowling attack, and there is no doubt that England view Anderson in much the same light.

He is England's all-time leading wicket taker, and has been a mainstay of their bowling line-up for over a decade.

With both players perhaps - and with respect - entering the twilight of their careers, this series is set to be one of the biggest they have left.

Steyn v Anderson is one of the match-ups of the series.

The stats reveal their pedigree, but Steyn probably edges Anderson. He has played 29 less Tests than the Englishman, but boasts a far superior strike rate and average.

Here's how two of the game's greats stack up against each other:

AGE

Steyn - 32
Anderson - 33

TESTS

Steyn - 81
Anderson - 110

WICKETS 

Anderson - 426

AVERAGE

Steyn - 22.56
Anderson - 28.96

STRIKE RATE

Steyn - 41.7
Anderson - 57.4

BEST FIGURES

Steyn - 7/51
Anderson - 7/43

FIVE WICKET HAULS (INNINGS)

Steyn - 25
Anderson - 18

TEN WICKET HAULS (MATCH)

Steyn - 5
Anderson - 2