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Cape Town - Proteas speedster Dale Steyn announced his retirement from Test cricket on Monday, bringing a close to one red ball cricket's greatest fast bowling careers.
Steyn, who played the last of his 93 Tests against Sri Lanka in Port Elizabeth in February, snared 439 wickets during his career, making him the leading wicket taker in South African Test history.
Naturally, Twitter went into overdrive when news broke of his decision.
Here are some of the best tweets:
The greatest of his generation. Stats don’t lie and @DaleSteyn62 test stats is the best . I know how much test cricket means to you bud and how badly you still wanted to achieve more . Hopefully we will still see a lot of this action. #?? pic.twitter.com/qMglFgfZ9U
— Faf Du Plessis (@faf1307) August 5, 2019
Too many memories to mention! We started together many years back and I had the privilege and front row seats of watching @DaleSteyn62 turn into the best bowler of his time. You are the greatest, an even better… https://t.co/Ujgv54bKTI
— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) August 5, 2019
Congrats on a wonderful career buddy & yes you did entertain us all ! Well done @DaleSteyn62 ! The game is poorer without you mate https://t.co/WiGcCa7ObM
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) August 5, 2019
Without a shadow of a doubt the best bowler I’ve played with in every condition ???? Besides the skill he was the probably the coolest fast bowler around ?? ?? ???? Welcome to the real world @DaleSteyn62 #legend Loved every minute of how you played your heart out for our country????
— Robin John Peterson (@robbie13flair) August 5, 2019
So sad to hear of my hero's retirement. Kid you bowled your way into millions of peoples hearts, please don't let it end here, you have so much that you can still give to the up and coming generations, #streetcricket can be your start, you love the kids, go get them kid. Love dad
— Schalk Steyn (@SteynSchalk) August 5, 2019
Forget just cricket - few sights in all of sport offer the thrill of a great fast bowler in full flight. Dale Steyn was one of the finest of them all; Test cricket is poorer for his retirement, certainly, but far, far richer for the memories he leaves behind.
— Dan Nicholl (@dannicholl) August 5, 2019
@DaleSteyn62 is truly a great. Thanks for the memories :) https://t.co/Wtlt6x25m8
— Brenden Nel (@BrendenNel) August 5, 2019
A worthy tribute to @DaleSteyn62 In many years of reporting on cricket he has provided some of my best memories - and, perhaps just as important, has stayed a decent, down-to-earth human being. https://t.co/37HCDk4gKU
— Colin Bryden (@colinbryden1) August 5, 2019
Dale Steyn retires from Test cricket as one of—if not the—greatest fast bowlers of all time. No bowler in the history of Test cricket has taken 300 or more wickets at a lower strike rate than the South African paceman. #Steyn pic.twitter.com/oP0MrLAOIJ
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) August 5, 2019
What a bowler...@DaleSteyn62 brought the heat! Congratulations on a terrific tast career Hoooolio.....#Thebest https://t.co/DL7g3C2uta
— Roelof van der Merwe (@Roela52) August 5, 2019
With Dale Steyn announcing his retirement from Test cricket, here's every wicket he took on Aussie soil. Legend. pic.twitter.com/1pScSNhp8X
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) August 5, 2019
JUST IN: After 93 Tests and 439 Test wickets, Dale Steyn has announced his retirement from Test cricket. pic.twitter.com/3l1XmWKvvn
— ICC (@ICC) August 5, 2019
Best strike-rates for bowlers in Test matches (minimum 200 wickets):
— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) August 5, 2019
DALE STEYN 42.3
Waqar Younis 43.4
Malcolm Marshall 46.7
Allan Donald 47.0
Vernon Philander 48.6
Fred Trueman 49.4
Mitchell Starc 49.9#Cricket
Dale Steyn has retired from Test cricket.
— Derek Alberts (@derekalberts1) August 5, 2019
Today is a sad day.
The great Dale Steyn retires from Test cricket.
— Lungani Zama (@whamzam17) August 5, 2019
What rich memories he provided, right across the world.
In his prime, he was the absolute pinnacle of pace bowling.
Dale Steyn won Test series for South Africa -
— JSK (@imjsk27) August 5, 2019
Australia (twice)
England (twice)
New Zealand
Sri Lanka
Pakistan
And drawn twice in India...He received MOM award everywhere... South Africa never lost a Test series with him in Aus/Eng/Ind/NZ...
??
Dale Steyn retires from Test cricket
— Natalie Germanos ?? (@NatalieGermanos) August 5, 2019
93 matches
439 wickets
At an average of 22.95
Strike rate of 42.3
The numbers speak for themselves especially that strike rate!
Absolutely brilliant
Thank you Dale Steyn. What a privilege to have watched so much of your career live!
Dale Steyn has his own Way of "Celebrating" a Wicket! Unique Bowler with "Chest on" action! Generates "Pace" through his Wrist! Will Always be remembered for his
— Thiruvalluvan1969 (@Thiruva09112489) August 5, 2019
"Fierceness"! #ThankYouSteyn pic.twitter.com/Jy4u1Jg3G5
Dale Steyn announcing his retirement from Test cricket is the saddest news for me as a cricket fan. I've never been so sad by any player's retirement before, but this hit me hard.
— Muhammad Osama???? (@Osamma_shahzad) August 5, 2019
For me, he was the best fast bowler of this generation.
Good luck for your life ahead @DaleSteyn62
Agreed,Goat ?? of his Generation.Well Done “The Great’ @DaleSteyn62 ?? https://t.co/982sqjpstA
— Cameron Delport (@Cam12Delport) August 5, 2019
Wow...you inspired ,entertained and we all loved every moment you bowled in test cricket for the #Proteas Congrats @DaleSteyn62 #GOAT ????????????
— Paul Adams (@PaulAdams39) August 5, 2019
What an athlete,bowler and overall nutter @DaleSteyn62 ! From your first test match I knew you were something special and your numbers back that up perfectly. Your bouncer wasn’t slow either?? congrats ????
— Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru) August 5, 2019
What a player, bowler, legend, man, best in the business!! @DaleSteyn62 congrats on a special career!
— Alviro Petersen (@AlviroPetersen) August 5, 2019
Had the privilege of sharing in a few of those 93 caps. Absolute Rolls Royce of your generation. Congrats on a fantastic Test career @DaleSteyn62 ???????????? Feet up now, save those legs for the @CT_Blitz ???? ?? ??
— Ashwell Prince (@ashyp_5) August 5, 2019
A true LEGEND of fast bowling and the game. fact! It’s been a pleasure admiring you, feeding off you, and certainly sharing a field with you @DaleSteyn62
— Beuran Hendricks (@Beuran_H13) August 5, 2019
I love you @DaleSteyn62
— Chris Morris (@Tipo_Morris) August 5, 2019
