If stats are anything to go by, Dale Steyn is the greatest fast bowler in Test history.

So good is Dale Steyn, that a lot of the praising has come from the country that he tore apart in South Africa’s Test series victory against New Zealand. The NZ Herald decided to break down just how good he’s been.

‘Black Caps beaten by the best’ reads the title of the story, written by their cricket correspondent Andrew Alderson.

‘It will be of little consolation to New Zealand’s batsmen, but they experienced bowling eminence first-hand at Centurion this week,’ he said. ‘Their deficiencies were prodded, permeated and ultimately exposed by Dale Willem Steyn, arguably test cricket’s best pace bowler.’

Alderson believes it was no coincidence that the Proteas’ slide down the rankings coincided with Steyn’s intermittent absences through injury.

‘After Steyn’s match figures of eight for 99 from 36.2 overs, the Proteas were back at No 5,’ he said.

His 26th five-for advanced him to 11th on the wicket-taking charts in Tests, overtaking legendary Pakistan paceman Wasim Akram. He now sits just five behind South African leader Shaun Pollock.

It’s his strike rate that provides the best reading, and reflects just how well he compares to other fast bowlers, not just in his generation, but of all time.

‘A look at the strike rate column of the 13 players to take more than 400 test wickets reveals he is an outlier. Twelve of the bowling luminaries took between 51 (Sir Richard Hadlee) and 69 (Harbhajan Singh) balls to get each wicket; Steyn takes 41.

‘That’s effectively one a spell.’

Even the greats who have played fewer Tests don’t compare. Alderson goes on to point out that the likes of Waqar Younis, Malcolm Marshall, Allan Donald and Fred Trueman don’t match up to his strike rate either. This, all in an era that is leaning more towards a batsman’s game.

‘Mix that with a compelling brand of mental disintegration. His eyes have the maniacal hint of a Bond villain; his cries of jubilation and tattoo-sleeved fist pumps rival Braveheart; his tongue can deliver John McEnroe-type invective,’ concluded Alderson.

For the full article, read here.

Strike rates for bowlers with more than 400 test wickets

Player – Wickets – Average – Strike rate
Muttiah Muralitharan – 800 – 22.72 – 55
Shane Warne – 708 – 25.41 – 57
Anil Kumble – 619 – 29.65 – 66
Glenn McGrath – 563 – 21.64 – 52
Courtney Walsh – 519 – 24.44 – 58
James Anderson – 463 – 28.28 – 57
N Kapil Dev – 434 – 29.64 – 64
Sir Richard Hadlee – 431 – 22.29 – 51
Shaun Pollock – 421 – 23.11 – 58
Harbhajan Singh – 417 – 32.46 – 69
Dale Steyn – 416 – 22.24 – 41
Wasim Akram – 414 – 23.62 – 55
Curtly Ambrose – 405 – 20.99 – 55

Photo: Ryan WIlkisky/Backpage Pix