When you talk about some of the greatest fast bowlers of all time, Dale Steyn's name is in that category.
South Africa has produced a plethora of outstanding bowlers in Allan Donald, Makahya Ntini, Shaun Pollock, Morne Morkel, Vernon Philander, Jacques Kallis and Hugh Tyfield in representing the rainbow nation.
But none were more frightening and fierce than Steyn.
Coming onto the Test scene in 2004 against England, Steyn went from strength to strength in becoming the country's best bowler, taking 439 wickets in 93 Tests at an outstanding bowling average of 22.95 and a strike rate of 42.39. He possessed a terrific outswinger and inswinger and sheer brutal yorkers leaving the batsmen's stumps sprawling.
Whilst his bowling put fear into opposition batsmen, his wicket celebrations and "crazy eyes" would have made the youngest cricket fans quickly retreat from their living rooms. Despite battling a shoulder injury in the twilight of his career, it doesn't take away from the fact that the man from Phalaborwa, in South Africa's Transvaal Province, would imprint himself among cricket's greats.
In this piece, we'll take a dive into the top five moments of Dale Steyn's illustrious cricketing career.
5. Becoming the all-time leading test wicket-taker for South Africa
Throughout his career, Dale Steyn had many triumphs and plenty of adversity. From castling Marcus Trescothick's stumps for his maiden Test wicket to his 2008 Boxing Day Test feats with both ball and bat. He did it all.
However, before reaching a glorious milestone, in late 2016 the speed demon's career was hanging in the balance. Having had numerous problems with his right shoulder, the issue arose again during the second Test against Australia at the WACA.
It would be another two years before the cricketing world would see the comeback of the fearsome man. Needing another five more wickets to surpass Shaun Pollock, the magical moment came against Pakistan at The Centurion in December 2018.
With Pollock and long-time teammate Graeme Smith in the commentary box, Steyn made history in becoming South Africa's all-time leading Test wicket-taker, dismissing Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman for 17.
Speaking after the match with Supersport's Mark Nicholas, Steyn said he couldn't believe what he had accomplished.
"Standing at the top of my mark, everyone's standing up I almost pushed a tear. I didn't think it would happen but its been special," he said.
It be a fitting way to celebrate after everything he had been through with his troublesome shoulder.
