Cricket South Africa director of cricket Graeme Smith has heralded the positive impact of former Proteas fast bowler Dale Steyn, who retired from all professional cricket this week.
Smith and Steyn’s Test careers coincided for 10 years, from 2004 to 2014.
“Nobody who saw it will ever forget that memorable delivery of Dale’s that bowled England’s Michael Vaughan in his debut Test series in 2004. It announced him on the world stage as a special talent,” said Smith.
“He was my go-to bowler when the Proteas needed a major breakthrough. What made him so special was that he always produced the goods when it really counted.
“His role was critical in our Test series wins in England and Australia in 2008 and again in 2012 that enabled us to become the number one-ranked Test team in the world.
“We all have our favourite memories of him, but two that stand out for me were his all-round performance at Melbourne in 2008, when he took 10 wickets in the match and scored 78 of a 180-run partnership for the ninth wicket with JP Duminy that effectively clinched our first ever Test series victory in Australia.
“Then his 10 wickets in the Test against India in 2010 in Nagpur. That made him one of the few foreign fast bowlers to do this in a Test in India.
“He was a fierce competitor, but one who always remained within the confines of the spirit of the game. Above all, he was a top guy.
“I thank him not only for what he has done for South African cricket, but for the global game and wish him every happiness and success in his future endeavours.”