Cricket-Match-Special ... A forum for discussion

Also Dale Steyn has officially retired from tests, although he has barely played any for years due to injury.

Steyn was the 21st century bowler with the 19th century strike rate. For me, the best bowler of his century because he was successful across a range of different conditions, and because he had that elan that few of the others had, plus the longevity, and instant spectacle of his action.

I remember Hamish and the Superhuman Steyn making their debuts against England in 2004-5 and Amla was a little out of his depth though he became a world class bat. But Steyn was the real thing from the start, and his dismissal of Vaughan in that series with a laser guided inswinger was a big rush. His intensity added to the explosive mixture, but he was never, I don't think, a provocateur. He will be missed, and remembered with respect and fondness.

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine ... pe=bowling

I agree with all of that AC. Steyn is an absolute champion.

I was lucky enough to go watch him around his debut in South Africa, in a A team match against the touring Indians. I cant remember the figures he produced, but it was something like 5-10 against one of the best batting line up thats ever existed. It was a mix of ferocious pace and accuracy, simultaneously giving nothing away while posing aggressive questions to the batters. It remains one of the best spells I have ever seen in cricket.

What sets him out is how much his career stands out around his contemporaries in an era that will be signified forever as a batter dominated one. He could bowl pretty much in every conditions you could throw at him, and by memory some of his bowling vs the magnificent Indian team of 2008 on flat decks in Asia was a model for anyone of how to bowl in unfriendly conditions.

Many people are blessed with the ability of pace, swing or accuracy, but it was Steyn's capacity to understand how to use these tools that made his success. He could beat both edges of the bat with swing, maybe some nip off the pitch; but he had an uncanny habit of varying his swing direction to get batsman feeling they could go at the ball. Once the batter seen 3 overs of full length away swing, he'd then rip your middle stump out with a booming inswinger. His first line of attack was always to go for the stumps and challenge your technique at a fundamental level, and then if you stood up to the challenge, the second line of attack would test your ability to pick his variations and concentration. He could also bowl a snorter of a bouncer.

He deserves his place in the timeless pantheon of legends to have played the game for his record...... but when you look at stats, wickets or averages, we often ignore entertainment value; Steyn is right up there with the best spectacles to see in the modern game. The aggression, skill and the feeling he could rip a wicket out at any minute on the most pancake flat of decks all made him someone you went out of your way to catch.

Another superb South African player to retire: Vernon Philander has declared that the England series will be his last.

Really does feel like the end of a golden era for South African cricket - Steyn, Morkel, Philander, Amla, de Villiers.

Ex new zealand batsman Daniel Flynn has retired

Craig Cacopha has decided to call it a day at the age of 28, to pursue a career in the construction industry.

My "highlight" of his playing career was watching him score the streakiest half century for Sussex in a County Championship match at Scarborough. Never known it was possible to occupy the crease whilst riding your luck.

He was totally rubbish.

Dan Christian is calling it a day at the end of this bbl campaign

probably about time

Amla has retired too

andy wrote:Dan Christian is calling it a day at the end of this bbl campaign

Durhamfootman wrote:probably about time

He's still performing as a member of a T20 team. He'd easily manage to get contracts around the world for another year of the various leagues - if he wanted.

I think that they said last night, he thinks he has played for 19 different franchises (used that word, because I know you love it DF) around the world. 4 of them have been in the BBL, I think.

GarlicJam wrote:He'd easily manage to get contracts around the world for another year of the various leagues - if he wanted.

I don't doubt that for a moment. Franchises rarely seem to look at anything other than reputation, which is why so many players continue to travel the world long after their powers have waned. That's fair enough though, because the franchises prioritise making money over winning trophies and big names (no matter how reduced they've become) make money

Gary Ballance has announced his retirement from all cricket

Katherine Sciver-Brunt retires from internationals.

One of the best bowlers to play for England women. I had the pleasure to watch her deliver a player-of-the-match performance in the women's Ashes in 2017 in Canberra.

I thought she already had. When I saw the headline Sciver-Brunt retires, I momentarily thought they meant Nat


but yes..... a fine servant who gave everything until she no longer had any more to give