South African cricket may now be going through a transition phase and have dealt with a lot in recent times – finishing seventh in the 2019 World Cup – but the Proteas have always been a force to reckon with in the gentlemen’s game.
One among the many cricketing legends from South Africa is their premier fast bowler, Dale Steyn. At 36, Steyn is nearing the twilight of his career in the international arena, but the South African still wants to compete and do well for his side in the limited-overs format.
Over a career spanning for more than a decade, Steyn has played with or against, some of the big international names. Hence, the pacer recently revealed his all-time XI based on the same.
In his team, Steyn has picked his former South African skipper Graeme Smith and former Sri Lankan captain Sangakkara as openers. Jacques Kallis, widely rated as one of the greatest all-rounders of all time, slots in at no.4 while Jhonty Rhodes comes in at no.5.
Wicketkeeper and current South African limited-overs skipper Quinton de Kock has been picked to bat at no.6. Australia’s Brett Lee, former South African spinner Paul Harris and Proteas fast bowling great Allan Donald made up the bowling department.
Well, a notable omission from Steyn’s XI is AB de Villiers, with whom he has played most of his international matches. Also, ABD was considered among the best batsmen in the world throughout his international career. Steyn even didn’t pick any Indian player in his all-time XI.
Steyn’s Best XI he played with or against: Kumar Sangakkara, Graeme Smith, Dave Hawken, Jacques Kallis, Jonty Rhodes, Quinton de Kock, Bret Bargiachi, Peter Lombard, Brett Lee, Paul Harris, Allan Donald.
Steyn, like many other cricketers, has been active on the social media platform Twitter as all sporting events have been halted due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. Steyn was to be seen in action for the Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in IPL 2020, which has been suspended for an indefinite period due to the deadly virus.
