Dale Steyn announces retirement from cricket

South African fast bowler Dale Steyn announced his retirement from all formats of cricket on Tuesday.

He told ESPNcricinfo that his decision was prompted partly by the Covid-19 pandemic, and partly because, at 38, he is looking forward to “life starting again” after 18 years of professional cricket.

“I guess Covid-19 kind of made me see things differently, it wasn’t fun anymore. And if it’s not fun then it’s not worth doing,” Steyn said.

“Bittersweet but grateful,” he wrote in his social media post, as he thanked his family and teammates as well as journalists, fans.

“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.”

“It’s been an incredible journey together,” he added.

Announcement. pic.twitter.com/ZvOoeFkp8w

— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) August 31, 2021

Replying to the speedster, South African goat Ab Devilliars said: “Great player, great man, amazing memories! You picked a good song to sign off my bud. Legend forever!”

Picked😉😂

— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) August 31, 2021

Steyn, South Africa’s highest Test wicket-taker with 439 strikes in 93 games, made his professional debut in 2003 in a first-class game for Northerns. He stepped away from the longest format two years ago, to concentrate on white-ball cricket. Since then, he has not played in any ODIs and only three T20Is, though he did have plans of playing in one more T20 World Cup.

Many cricketers and notables related with cricket wrote comments for the South African great.

Enjoy mate 👏👏👏👏👏

— Adam Gilchrist (@gilly381) August 31, 2021

Go well, great man. You were fire, one of the best the game has seen.

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) August 31, 2021

The Best. ❤️

— James Anderson (@jimmy9) August 31, 2021

Congrats on a remarkable career. Set the standard for fast bowlers world round to follow for 20 years. No better competitor to watch in full flight, enjoy retirement mate!🏄‍♂️All time great

— Pat Cummins (@patcummins30) August 31, 2021

Congratulations on a wonderful career and all the best with whatever comes next!

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 31, 2021

An unbelievable career! Congrats Dale, loved watching you, playing against you, you set the standard for fast bowling at the highest level in all conditions!! Absolute legend and great of the game! Enjoy the surf! #alltimegreat

— Ryan Harris (@r_harris413) August 31, 2021

Congratulations speedster on your wonderful career, you have achived big milestone in an era. Goodluck for new innings. Happy retirement.

— Munaf Patel (@munafpa99881129) August 31, 2021

Outstanding competitor. Incredible bowler. Great man. Congrats on a brilliant career and all the best in what comes next 👍🏼

— Matt Prior (@MattPrior13) August 31, 2021

Legend:(

— Ihtisham Ul Haq (@iihtishamm) August 31, 2021

Dale, you are my favourite. That’s it, that’s the tweet. pic.twitter.com/bUNG8IdjLc

— Hassan Ali 🇵🇰 (@RealHa55an) March 2, 2021

An absolute legend both on and off the field.
It was a pleasure to have you with us in Quetta Gladiators @DaleSteyn62
One of the very best to have played the game.
Best of luck as you start your second innings Gladiator #PurpleForce #WeTheGladiators https://t.co/LevEZKXYrf

— Quetta Gladiators (@TeamQuetta) August 31, 2021

My favourite all time 🙏🏾 good luck legend @DaleSteyn62 https://t.co/EoUTuPZz7w

— hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) August 31, 2021