South African legend Dale Steyn decided to hang up his boots from the longest format of the game and an era of great fast bowling came to an end. Steyn was a force to reckon with in Tests and had troubled some of the best batsmen around the world. Steyn was able to bowl with great pace and his control with the ball was magnificent. The 35-year-old proved his mettle in every condition and will go down as one of the best fast-bowlers of all time, as he retires from Test cricket. Dale Steyn Retires from Test Cricket: South Africa Fast Bowler Announces Immediate Retirement from the Longest Format of the Game

The veteran made his debut way back in 2004 and was a nightmare for the batsman throughout his career. The Steyn-gun featured in 93 Tests and took 439 wickets, which is a record figure by a Proteas bowler. The right-arm-fast-bowler also registered 26 five-wicket and five 10-wicket hauls. So, as the Phalaborwa-born-pacer decides to call it a day from whites, let’s have a look at some great spells bowled by Dale Steyn in Test Cricket. Dale Steyn Retires from Test Cricket: Virat Kohli, AB De Villiers and Others Congratulate ‘Pace Machine’ on an Incredible Career

5/24 against India - Ahmedabad (2008)

A fast bowler taking a five-wicket haul in the subcontinent is a rare sight but Dale Steyn did it. In the 2008 South Africa tour to India, Dale Steyn was at his premium best. In the second Test of the series held in Ahmedabad, the SA pacer demolished the star-studded Indian batting line-up and took five-wickets. India were bundled out for mere 76 runs in the first innings and the visitors later won the match by an innings and 90 runs.

5/87 and 5/67 against Australia - Melbourne (2008)

Dale Steyn was at his prime in the 2008 South Africa’s tour to Australia. In the second Test of the series held at Melbourne Cricket Ground, the right-arm-fast-bowler rattled the mighty Australian batting line up and taking five wickets in both the innings. Steyn’s pace and bounce was too hot to handle for the hosts and they were dismissed for 394 in the first innings. The visitors piled up a mammoth score of 459 in the second innings and later won the match comfortably by 9 wickets.

5/51 against England - Johannesburg (2010)

The England Cricket Team performed magnificently in their 2010 Tour to South Africa and were leading the four-match series 1-0 after three tests. But in the fourth and final game played in Johannesburg, they faced the wrath of the Steyn-gun. Steyn took 5 wickets and the in-form English batting line up was dismissed for 180 in the first innings. South Africa made 423 in their first innings and England was never able to come back after that. As a result, The Hosts won by an innings and 74 runs.

6/8 against Pakistan - Johannesburg (2013)

In Pakistan’s 2013 Tour of South Africa, the Men in Green put up a decent show in the limited-overs format but in the first Test, Pakistan were completely outplayed by the swinging deliveries of Dale Steyn and as a result the bowler took 6 wickets and the visitors were bundled out for just 49 runs in the first innings. South Africa later won the match by 211 runs and Steyn was again the Man of The Match.

So, these were some great bowling performances by Dale Steyn in his Test career. His retirement must have given a breather to many batsmen around the world. However, the pacer will be in action in the limited-overs format. With, Steyn’s retirement, a huge vacant hole came in the Proteas test bowling line up. Nevertheless, the likes of Lungi Nigidi and Kagiso Rabada will want to put their hands up and like to take the legend's legacy forward.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 06, 2019 11:16 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).