Proteas fast bowler Dale Steyn has expressed sincere gratitude to several well-wishers, after retiring from Test cricket this week.

Captain Faf du Plessis, former Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar and many more have congratulated Steyn on a prolific Test career via social media.

‘What a ride. Just a quick thank you to everyone for the kind messages over the last two days. Simply blown away by all the people who have messaged/congratulated me,’ Steyn wrote on Instagram.

‘Thank you. What does one say when they retire? I don’t really know how to sum up almost 15 years of red-ball throwing. To be honest it’s actually impossible to even try. What I can say is that I’ve loved every second of it.’

Steyn became South Africa’s leading wicket-taker in Test cricket earlier this year, after surpassing veteran Shaun Pollock’s tally of 421. The 36-year-old Steyn ended a 93-Test career with 439 wickets.

He will remain available for ODI and T20I selection. Steyn has taken 196 and 61 wickets in 125 and 44 ODIs and T20Is, respectively. He will be afforded the opportunity to add to the latter, if selected for September’s three T20Is in India.

‘Today I walk away from a format of the game I love so much. In my opinion Test cricket is the best version of this game. It tests you mentally, physically, emotionally. It’s terrible to consider never playing another Test again, but what’s more terrifying is the thought of never playing again at all,’ he said on Monday.

Photo: Gallo Images