South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn brings curtain down on Test career

The 36-year-old will continue to be available to play white-ball cricket for his country but has said the decision to retire from five-day cricket has been made to prolong his career

South Africa leading Test wicket taker Dale Steyn has announced his retirement from the format.

The 36-year-old fast bowler, who played 93 Test matches for the Proteas and took 439 wickets at an average of 22.95, has said the decision has been made to retire from the longest format of the game in order to prolong his career.

Steyn, who missed South Africa's horrendous World Cup campaign earlier this summer, is still available to play white-ball cricket for his country and therefore will continue to be a national contracted player for the 2019/2020 season.

"Today I walk away from a format of the game I love so much.

"In my opinion Test cricket is the best version of this game. It tests you mentally, physically, emotionally.

"It's terrible to consider never playing another Test again but what's more terrifying is the thought of never playing again at all. So I will be focusing on ODIs and T20s for the rest of my career to maximise my full potential and ensure my longevity in this sport.

^{Dale Steyn is South Africa's leading wicket taker in the longest format}

"I'd like to thank everyone in cricket, no one specific, because everyone has been a part of my journey. And I look forward to continuing to play for the Proteas in the shorter formats.

"Thank you."

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

Cricket South Africa chief executive Thabang Moroe added: "Dale is undoubtedly one of the all-time greats of cricket.

"From the time he made his Test debut against England in 2004 and dismissed their captain, Michael Vaughan, with a superb delivery, he has been one of the standout fast bowlers in world cricket. He has led the South African attack brilliantly and has set the standard for our future generations to follow.

"More than that he has been a wonderful mentor to our next generation of speedsters.

"We were saddened to hear of his decision, but it is one that management has to accept, and we thank him for his significant contribution to the sport and to the nation and wish him everything of the very best for the future."

South Africa captain Faf du Plessis led the tributes from the current players, labelling Steyn "the greatest of his generation".

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