One of the greatest fast bowlers in modern day cricket, Dale Steyn has been a backbone of South Africa’s bowling attack in all formats especially test matches. In the past 2 to 3 years, he has been struggling with injuries. With 2 test match series against Sri Lanka to be played from 12th July 2018, the fast bowler has been included in the squad.
Dale Steyn made his test debut for South Africa against England on 17th December 2004. So far in his test career, the fast bowler has taken 419 wickets from 86 test matches with an economy of 3.22 runs per over. During his test career so far, Dale Steyn has picked 5 wickets in an innings 26 times and 10 wickets in a match 5 times.
Steyn made his ODI debut for Africa XI against Asia XI on 17th August 2005. He has played so far 116 One day internationals and taken 180 wickets with an economy of 4.94. The South African bowler played his last ODI against South Africa in 2016. He has taken 5 wickets in a match 3 times.
In the shortest format, Dale Steyn made his debut against New Zealand on 23rd November 2007. Steyn has played so far 58 wickets from 42 matches with an economy of 6.71 runs per over with 2 four wickets haul.
Here we look at the top 10 performances of Dale Steyn in international cricket
- 6/39 vs. Pak, ODI at Port Elizabeth, November 2013
The Premier fast bowler Dale Steyn bowled his best spell in One day international for South Africa taking 6/39 against Pakistan in 2nd ODI played at Port Elizabeth on 27th November 2013. In that match South African captain AB de Villiers won the toss and decided to field first.
The match was reduced to 45 overs each. Steyn dismissed Nasir Jamshed and Mohammad Hafeez cheaply. Coming later, Steyn got the wickets of Shahid Afridi, Bilawal Bhatti, Anwar Ali, Umar Akmal and Saeed Ajmal to finish with figures of 6/39 in 9 overs. Pakistan posted 262.
South Africa lost the match by just 1 run. Ahmed Shehzad won the man of the match for his century.
- 5/50 vs. India, ODI at Nagpur, March 2011 (2011 World Cup)
The South African fast bowler Dale Steyn produced another brilliant spell of bowling during the 2011 World Cup group stage game against India at VCA Stadium, Nagpur on 12th March 2011. In that match, Indian captain MS Dhoni won the toss and decided to bat first.
Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar got the team off to a flying start adding 142 in 17.3 overs. Sachin Tendulkar made 111, Sehwag scored 73. Dale Steyn picked the wickets of Gambhir, Yusuf Pathan, in last few overs, Steyn grabbed Harbhajan Singh, Ashish Nehra and Munaf Patel. He finished figures of 5/50 in 9.4 overs. India was bowled out for 296 48.4 overs.
South Africa won the match by 3 wickets with 2 balls to spare. Dale Steyn was named the man of the match for his match-changing spell.
- 4/9 vs. West Indies, T20I at Port Elizabeth, December 2007
Dale Steyn bowled his best spell in the T20I format for South Africa against West Indies at Port Elizabeth on 16th December 2007. The match was reduced to 13 overs each due to rain. West Indies captain Dwayne Bravo won the toss and decided to field first.
A great bowling spell by the West Indies bowlers restricted South Africa to 58 for 8 in 13 overs. Dale Steyn bowled with pace and dismissed Dwayne Smith, Morton, Marlon Samuels and Captain Dwayne Bravo. He took 4 for 9 in 3 overs, South Africa lost the match by 5 wickets with 19 balls to spare.
- 7/51 vs. India at Nagpur, Test match, 2010 February
One of his best spells for Dale Steyn took 7/51 against hosts India at VCA Stadium, Nagpur played from 6th to 9th February 2010.
South Africa captain Graeme Smith won the toss and decided to bat first. Hashim Amla 253 not out, Kallis 173 helped the visitors post a massive total of 558 for 6 in the first innings. Steyn was at his best with the ball taking wickets of Murali Vijay, Sachin Tendulkar, S Badrinath, Wriddhiman Saha, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan and Amit Mishra.
Dale Steyn finished with figures of 7/51 in 16.4 overs with an economy of 3.06. His spell helped South Africa bowled out India for just 233. Hashim Amla was the man of the match for his marathon 253 not out.
- 10/154 vs. Australia at Melbourne, Test match, December 2008
One of the best bowling spells for Dale Steyn during the 2nd test match between Australia and South Africa played at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia from 26th December to 30th December.
In that match Australian captain Ricky Pointing won the toss and decided to bat first. Steyn picked the early wicket of Simon Katich, then took Micheal Hussey, Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Hauritz to bowl out Australia for 394 in the first innings. Dale Steyn took 5/87 in his 29 overs.
South Africa was bowled out for 459 in their first innings. Dale Steyn was the pick of bowlers for South Africa in the 2nd innings too, picking wickets of Matthew Hayden, Simon Katich, Micheal Clarke, Andrew Symonds and Peter Siddle. He finished with figures of 5/67 in the 2nd innings. South Africa won the match by 9 wickets.
Dale Steyn was named the man of the match for his match-winning performance.
- 11/60 vs. Pakistan at Johannesburg, Test match, February 2013
Another brilliant spell for Dale Steyn came against Pakistan in the 1st Test match at Johannesburg from 1st February to 4th February 2013. South African captain Graeme Smith won the toss and decided to first. It was a good batting effort by South Africa to score 253 in the first innings.
Dale Steyn was at his best picking Mohammad Hafeez, Nasir Jamshed, Younis Khan. Later he dismissed wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed, Saeed Ajmal and Rahat Ali. He finished with figures of 6 for 8 in 8.1 overs with an economy of 0.97. Pakistan was bowled out for just 49. In the second innings too, Steyn picked 5 wickets for 52 in 28.4 overs. South Africa won the match by a massive 211 runs.
For his match-winning performance, Dale Steyn was named the man of the match.
- 5/23 vs. India at Ahmadabad, Test match April 2008
Dale Steyn showed his class in the first test match between South Africa and India played at Sardar Patel Stadium, Ahmadabad from 3rd April 2008 onwards.
In that match, Indian captain Anil Kumble won the toss and decided to bat first. On a green wicket, Dale Steyn dismissed dangerous Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid cheaply. Coming for the next spell, Steyn got wickets of Harbhajan Singh, RP Singh and Sreesanth to pick 5 for 23 in 8 overs. India was bowled out for paltry 76 in the first innings.
South Africa won the match on the 3rd day. AB de Villiers was named as man of the match for his marathon 217 not out.
- 5/54 vs. Sri Lanka at Galle, Test match, July 2014
Another brilliant spell on sub-continent conditions, Dale Steyn ripped the Sri Lankan batting order in the 1st test match played at Galle International Stadium, from 16th July to 20th July 2014. South African captain Hashim Amla won the toss and decided to bat first.
South Africa posted 455 for 9 declared in the first innings. Dale Steyn dismissed Kaushal Silva cheaply, got big wickets of Mahela Jayawardene, Thirmanne, Dinesh Chandimal and Dilwuran Perera to finish with 5/54 in 23 overs. His brilliant helped bowl out Sri Lanka for just 292. He took 4 wickets in the 2nd innings also. South Africa won the match by 153 runs.
For his match winning spell, Dale Steyn was named the man of the match.
- 5/25 vs. Pakistan at Abu Dhabi, ODI, November 2013
Another superb spell of bowling by Dale Steyn took place in the 4th One day international between Pakistan and South Africa played at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi played on 8th November 2013.
South African captain AB de Villiers won the toss and decided to bat first. Quinton de Kock 112 and contributions from other batsmen helped the visitor’s post 266 for 5 in 50 overs. Dale Steyn took the wicket of Sohaib Masqood, Pakistani captain Misbah-ul- Haq, Sohail Tanvir, Umar Akmal and Saeed Ajmal. Steyn finished with figures of 5/25 in 10 overs. Steyn was named the man of the match.
- 3/15 vs. Pakistan, T20I at Dubai, November 2013
Another great spell of bowling by Dale Steyn in T20I format against Pakistan during 1st T20I played at Dubai on 13th November 2013. Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez won the toss and decided to bat first.
Dale Steyn took an early wicket of Sohaib Masqood cheaply. He then took Pakistan captain wicket of Mohammad Hafeez and then dismissed Saeed Ajmal to finish with figures of 3/15 in 4 overs. Pakistan scored only 98 for 9 in 20 overs. South Africa chased the target with 33 balls to spare.
For his great spell, Steyn was named the man of the match.