Dale Steyn: Revisiting a modern day legend's career through pictures

2006-2008 – The growth of a future champion

Dale Steyn celebrates the wicket of Stephen Fleming during the fourth day of the first Test between South Africa and New Zealand at Supersport Park on April 18, 2006

He injured himself during India’s visit in 2006, playing only a part of the first Test and missing out on the second, but quickly recovered to play the final one where he picked up four wickets, starting off a period of supreme form with the ball.

Dale Steyn gets the wicket of Virender Sehwag during day four of the third Test

He wasn’t an automatic choice for Tests against Pakistan, with the selectors preferring the likes of Paul Harris and Andre Nel to him. He still needed one series to completely prove his mettle, one that could firmly establish him as South Africa’s bowling future.

Steyn had a scintillating series against New Zealand later that year, picking up 20 wickets in the two Tests to enhance his reputation as one of the brightest young pacers in the circuit. He also broke into the top five of the ICC Test rankings for bowlers.

Steyn sends back Dwayne Bravo during his spell of 4-9

His T20 debut came against New Zealand, where he picked up a solitary wicket, and followed it up with an impressive spell of 4-9 versus West Indies, taking all four wickets off yorkers.

The next chapter in the Steyn saga unfolded away from home, where the pacer played in Bangladesh and India to expand his art. He dismissed Junaid Siddique to become the fastest South African to pick up 100 Test wickets.