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Steyn announces his retirement from all cricket

Proteas legend confirms the end of his 18-year professional cricket career, two years after he retired from Test cricket

South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.

The 38-year-old, considered one of the finest bowlers of his generation, made the announcement on social media, calling time on his 18-year professional career.

"Today I officially retire from the game I love most. Bittersweet but graceful," Steyn said on Twitter.

"Thank you to everyone, from family to teammates, journalists to fans, it's been an incredible journey together."

Steyn retired from the five-day game in 2019 but had been available for limited-overs cricket and hoped to play at the Twenty20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates later this year, although he had not featured in the team since February last year.

The speed demon closes the curtain on a 20-year career in which he became South Africa's highest wicket-taker in Tests and arguably the country's greatest ever fast bowler.

Steyn remembers highest Test score in famous SA win

Steyn, who made his Test debut in 2004 on home soil against England, added: "It's been 20 years of training, matches, travel, wins, losses, strapped feet, jet lag, joy and brotherhood.

"There are too many stories to tell. Too many faces to thank."

Steyn appeared in 93 Test matches for South Africa, taking 439 wickets, and played his last Test against Sri Lanka in 2019.

He also represented the Proteas in 125 one-day internationals and 47 T20Is.

Dale Steyn's favourite Australian opponent

He played for four English county sides - Essex, Warwickshire, Glamorgan and Hampshire - and also played for the Melbourne Stars in the KFC BBL.

He was named ICC 2008 Test Cricketer of the Year and Wisden's Leading Cricketer in the World in 2013 and was the No.1 bowler in the ICC Test rankings for a record 263 weeks between 2008 and 2014.

Dale Steyn

Tests

M: 93 | Wkts: 439 | Ave: 22.95 | SR: 42.30 | BBI: 7-51 | 5w: 26 | 10w: 5

ODIs

M: 125 | Wkts: 196 | Ave: 25.95 | SR: 31.90 | BBI: 6-39 | 5w: 3

T20Is

M: 47 | Wkts: 64 | Ave: 18.35 | Econ: 6.94 | BBI: 4-9

First-class

M: 141 | Wkts: 618 | Ave: 23.57 | SR: 43.90 | BBI: 8-41 | 5w: 35 | 10w: 7

List A

M: 180 | Wkts: 284 | Ave: 24.61 | SR: 31.10 | BBI: 6-39 | 5w: 6

T20s

M: 228 | Wkts: 263 | Ave: 19/20 | Econ: 6.85 | BBI: 4-9