Dale Steyn retires from Test cricket as Twitter rolls back the memories

South African fast bowler Dale Steyn is hanging up his Test-playing boots. The cricketer on Monday announced his retirement from the longest form of the game, in which he first appeared in 2004. Yeah, it was that long ago.

Dale Steyn, who is now 36-years-old, made the decision to prolong his overall cricketing career.

“Today I walk away from a format of the game I love so much,” said Steyn in a statement.

#CSAnews #BreakingNews @DaleSteyn62 has brought down the curtain on one of the great fast bowling Test careers of the modern era when he announced his retirement from red-ball cricket with immediate effect. pic.twitter.com/L3HmWXKRwV

— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) August 5, 2019

“It’s terrible to consider never playing another Test again but what’s more terrifying is the thought of never playing again at all. So I will be focusing on ODIs and T20s for the rest of my career to maximise my full potential and ensure my longevity in this sport.”

Even though we’ll still see him lob balls at people at over 130km/h, Twitter users took to the social network to pay tribute to his Test career.

Salute @DaleSteyn62 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿
One of the greats indeed.#SteynGun #SteynRemover #DaleSteyn

— Mpumelelo Mbangwa (@mmbangwa) August 5, 2019

Dale Steyn announces his retirement from Test cricket: "In my opinion Test cricket is the best version of this game. It tests you mentally, physically, emotionally"

He played 93 Test matches, taking 439 wickets at an average of 22.95 and strike-rate of 42.3 #Cricket

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) August 5, 2019

Dale Steyn was the greatest Test Fast bowler of his generation without a doubt. He is up there with the greatest fast bowlers of all time, top 5 ever imo in Test cricket. Performed everywhere against everyone, his Test career has no blemish.

— Rehan Ulhaq (@Rehan_ulhaq) August 5, 2019

After 93 Tests and 439 Test wickets, the Proteas speedster today bids adieu to Test cricket. We enjoyed the contest in whites with you.

Go well, #DaleSteyn pic.twitter.com/NXUjBT4wuQ

— BCCI (@BCCI) August 5, 2019

Champ. pic.twitter.com/5V9ZzdfL2K

— P R I N C E 🇮🇳 (@iPrince55) August 5, 2019

MISS YOU STEYN😭😭
YOU HAVE DONE SO MUCH FOR SOUTH AFRICAN CRICKET AND YOU DESERVE MUCH MORE…….

— David Jason 7 (@Imjason17) August 5, 2019

The hashtag #SteynRemover also began trending across South Africa on Monday night, as the news spread online.

The Greatest Pacer Retires from the Greatest Format of Cricket …!!@DaleSteyn62 you have been an absolute Legend of the game and a once in a generation Cricketer 💓

Privileged to have seen u right from ur Debut 🔥#Steynremover #GOAT #Favourite 😍 pic.twitter.com/hzvUsEwKFl

— Anuj Agrawal (@AnujAgrawal5) August 5, 2019

My favorite fast bowler of all time and my undisputed GOAT🐐If it weren't injuries I have no doubts that this man would have surpassed all fast bowling records in test cricket and would have gone down as the true GOAT. An absolute class act with an action to inspire #SteynRemover https://t.co/f4eWFeOmGl

— John Dunlop (@JohnDunlop4) August 5, 2019

Eish. It had to happen sometime. Unfortunate that we couldn't play as much test cricket as India, England and Australia during his peak performance and fitness. Could have been on 600 wickets by now#SteynRetires #GOAT #SteynRemover
https://t.co/le7RHZglDF

— Gwadiso (@MrSay1) August 5, 2019

Heart breaking retirement @DaleSteyn62 #steynremover
So many memories as a world class fast bowler. But the two of which stands tall even now.

1. Nagpur 2010 test
2. Spell against Sachin in the new year test in Capetown 2011.

Hope Terrible guitar player becomes pro Guitarist!

— nagaraj (@naga25french) August 5, 2019

Dale Steyn retires as South Africa’s leading wicket taker in Test cricket hauling 439 wickets in 93 matches.

Feature image: screenshot, Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) via Twitter