Former teammate Makhaya Ntini has paid tribute to fast bowler Dale Steyn, who became South Africa’s leading wicket-taker in Test cricket on Wednesday.

The opening session of the series opener against Pakistan saw Steyn surpass former seamer Shaun Pollock’s 421 Test wickets.

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‘It has been wonderful to watch Dale play. We respect him and he is the leader of the bowling attack. Keep going and get to 500 wickets,’ said Ntini.

‘You can’t keep him out. He has shown his stripes. He has been in and out of the team and battled through injuries.

‘That record is not a baby’s work. It is a man’s work. He has played only about 80 Tests to get the record. His stats say it all. He has really grown as a cricketer and we are all proud of him.’

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Steyn was not purchased during the Indian Premier League player auction in Jaipur earlier this month, despite impressing for the Cape Town Blitz in the inaugural Mzansi Super League.

‘He might be thinking that he has about two more years in him. He hasn’t got a new Indian Premier League contract, so he can rest a bit more,’ added Ntini.

Ntini gathered 390 Test wickets – South Africa’s third-most. Fast bowlers Allan Donald and Morne Morkel managed 330 and 309 respectively. All-rounders Vernon Philander and Jacques Kallis and spinner Hugh Tayfield follow with 291, 205 and 170 respectively.

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Photo: Gallo