Proteas fast bowler Dale Steyn has drawn level with New Zealand’s Richard Hadlee as Test cricket’s joint 10th highest wicket-taker.

Steyn, who surpassed former seamer Shaun Pollock as South Africa’s top wicket-taker in the longest format of the international game last week, clinched seven more in the second Test against Pakistan at Newlands in Cape Town.

‘A heartfelt congratulations to Dale. He has been a fantastic bowler for SA for so long. His performances both home and away have been remarkable in so many ways,’ said Pollock late last year.

‘The fact that he is the best Test fast bowler that SA has produced doesn’t require my endorsement, as his stats and record tell you that.

‘He is fully deserving of holding the record for most Test wickets, and I hope that he goes on to take many more and continues winning games for the Proteas.’

Steyn currently has 431 in 90 Tests. Hadlee reached the same number in four less matches between 1973 and 1990.

The New Zealander took nine match 10-fors and 36 innings five-fors to the South African’s five and 26 respectively.

If selected for the third and final Test against Pakistan, the 35-year-old Steyn will have the opportunity to surpass England seamer Stuart Broad’s and Sri Lankan veteran Rangana Herath’s 433, and Indian stalwart Kapil Dev’s 434.

Broad is still playing, while Herath and Dev have retired.

Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan is Test cricket’s leading wicket-taker with 800, followed by Australian Shane Warne’s 708, Indian Anil Kumble’s 619, Englishman James Anderson’s 565, Australian Glenn McGrath’s 563 and West Indian Courtney Walsh’s 519.

Steyn’s average of 22.65 is the third best among Test competition’s top 10 wicket-takers, after McGrath’s 21.64 and Hadlee’s 22.29.

Photo: Gallo