Ranking Dale Steyn’s top 3 bowling performances in Tests

Very few cricketers are as impactful as Dale Steyn was for South Africa in Test cricket. The lethal fast bowler was an absolute match-winner for the Proteas in all conditions, around the globe and led the South African bowling attack for a considerable period of time. In this article, we will take a look at Dale Steyn’s top 3 bowling performances in Test cricket. 

7/51 vs India, 2010

These are the performances that differentiate Dale Steyn from other bowlers. He was as aggressive and lethal in subcontinent conditions as he was on his home turf, in South Africa. This is the best bowling performance from Steyn in Test cricket and he delivered this spell against India at Nagpur. In the first innings, South Africa posted 558 runs courtesy of a double century from Hashim Amla which was backed up by Steyn’s firing spell as he picked up 7 wickets to dismantle the Indian batting unit. 

6/8 vs Pakistan, 2013

A sensational spell from Dale Steyn where he picked up 6 wickets and conceded only 8 runs to wrap up the Pakistan innings for a miserable total of 49 runs. It was a decisive victory for South Africa by 211 runs in this match and Dale Steyn’s breathtaking bowling effort was a major factor in that win. In reply of 253 runs scored by South Africa in the first innings Pakistan crumbled which gave the Proteas an edge in the first test match of the series at Johannesburg. 

6/34 vs West Indies, 2014

This is another spectacular performance from Dale Steyn that will be remembered as one of the best bowling performances in his test career. Against West Indies in the first match of the test series between the two teams Dale Steyn emerged as a thorn in the flesh for West Indian batters. South Africa imposed a follow-on after West Indies got bundled out for a low score in the first innings but Dale Steyn made the second innings even tougher for them with quick dismissals which included batters like Marlon Samuel and Shivnarine Chanderpaul. In the end, South Africa won this match by an innings and 220 runs.

Read More: Ranking Dale Steyn’s top 3 bowling performances in ODIs