Happy Birthday, Dale Steyn: An all-time great fast bowler who once had to beg for a pair of shoes

Dale Steyn was one of the fiercest fast bowlers of his generation who made even the best batters look like rookies. Dale Steyn was a force to reckon with for South Africa during his playing days. 

The South African fast bowler has achieved many records and held the No. 1 Position in Test Cricket for 263 Weeks during his prime in Cricket. Steyn celebrates his 41st birthday today.

There was a time when he was unable to even afford a pair of cricket shoes. "I had one pair of shoes and I had to buy them myself when I first started playing internationals," he said. 

"I just didn't have the money for more than one. I was begging Shaun Pollock for a pair of shoes," Steyn told Independent.

 
But deep down his heart, he always wanted to become a Photographer if not a fast bowler. Soon after his debut, he left his impact through his bowling in alien conditions. He was the chief architect with the ball in many memorable Test wins for South Africa. 

He finished his career with 439 Test wickets in Test Format with 5 wicket-hauls 26 times and 10 wicket-hauls 5 times. He picked 196 ODI wickets and 64 in the shorter formats. 

He became the No 1 Test Bowler From 2010 to 2015 and was irreplaceable which resonates with his consistency with the ball. He has the best economy rate as a fast bowler in T20s which is 6.85.

On the other hand, South Africa also gave him a perfect Birthday gift by reaching their first T20 Final by defeating Afghanistan in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 today. 

Dale Steyn congratulated the bowlers by producing one of the finest bowling spells in the Semi-Final. ‘’It’s emotional down here. We’re into a final,’’ he said.