In A Career Marred By Injuries, Dale Steyn Finally Announces Retirement From All Forms Of Cricket

Resembling a work of art when in full flight with his wicked swing and toe-crushing yorkers, all-time pace great Dale Steyn on Tuesday announced retirement from cricket with an impeccable record and a legacy to boot.

Cricket will be poorer without the rhythmic run-up and an action that was all about grace, for there was no better sight in cricket than watching Steyn striding in and attacking the batsmen.

The 38-year-old South African made the announcement on Twitter, ending a 17-year career, which saw him play in 93 Tests, 125 ODIs and 47 T20Is and pick 439, 196 and 64 wickets respectively for the Proteas.

“Today I officially retire from the game I love the most. Bitter sweet but grateful. Thank you to everyone, from family to teammates, journalists to fans, its been an incredible journey together,” he wrote.

“”And it”s been a long December and there”s reason to believe. Maybe this year will be better than the last I can”t remember all the times I tried to tell myself to hold on to these moments as they pass”,” Steyn wrote in his retirement letter, quoting a song from American rock band Counting Crows to convey his emotions.

“It”s been 20 years of training, matches, travel, wins, losses, strapped feat, jet lag, joy, and brotherhood. There are too many memories to tell. To many faces to thank. So I left it to the experts to sum up, my favourite band, the Counting Crows,” 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 breakdown during South Africa”s tour of Australia in November 2016.

The pacer was initially included in South Africa”s squad for the 2019 World Cup but had to pull out without playing a match due to a shoulder problem.

He still had an eye on the ICC T20 World Cup last year, before that tournament was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He 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 ”A Long December”.