Johannesburg: South Africa's fast bowling legend Dale Steyn on Tuesday announced his retirement from all forms of the cricket.
The 38-year-old played 93 Test matches, picking 439 wickets at a stunning average of 22.95. He also played 125 ODIs, picking 196 wickets at 25.95, and 47 T20Is, in which he claimed 64 at 18.35.
Steyn, who retires as one of the greatest fast bowlers to play the game, made the announcement on Twitter.
“Today, I officially retire from the game I love the most. Bittersweet but grateful,' he said in his retirement letter on Twitter.
"It's been 20 years of training, matches, travel, wins, losses, strapped feet, jet lag, joy, and brotherhood. There are too many memories to tell. Thank you to everyone, from family to teammates, journalists to fans, it's been an incredible journey together,' he added.
Steyn, who retired from Test cricket in 2019 with an eye on limited-overs formats, last played an international in February 2020 - a T20I against Australia – but has had constant run-ins with injuries over the last few years, especially after a career-threatening shoulder injury during South Africa’s tour of Australia in November 2016.
Steyn was initially included in South Africa's squad for the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup but had to pull out without playing a match due to a shoulder problem.
He still had an eye on the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2020, before that tournament was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The pacer played in T20 franchise leagues thereafter, including in the Pakistan Super League in March this year. He also pulled out of the IPL, but insisted he wasn't retiring.
However, on Tuesday, he brought his career to a close, quoting lines from the Counting Crows song A Long December. (UNI)