Pro South African cricketer Dale Willem Steyn or Dale Steyn was born in Phalaborwa, Limpopo, South Africa on 27th June 1983. He has also starred in a Hollywood movie (2014’s Blended) and is questionably one of the most dreaded fast bowlers that the world of cricket has faced. His bowling pace with a combination of swing was his utmost weapon! This talent has assisted him in getting more than 400 wickets! Plus, his cross out swinging deliveries at above 150K/s was the utmost soothing sight which he has helped his career! 

Dale Steyn: Bio, Career, Interesting Facts, and FAQs! 

Career:

In 2004, Dale Steyn came to the South African fold once England toured South Africa. Even though he didn’t have a good debut, rubbing shoulders with legendary cricketers like Makhaya Ntini and Shaun Pollock was an enormous help to him. In the early phase of his cricket career, he was called for only Test matches and made his first ODI debut once he was selected for the Africa XI squad for the series alongside Asia XI. The professional cricketer was firstly used as a home-grown weapon as he didn’t tour much on the side. Though it was complex to leave him on the side and soon after the departure of veteran bowlers Makhaya Ntini and Shaun Pollock, the future fast bowling legend initiated a spearhead bowling attack for the South African team. Dale Steyn together with Morne Morkel emerged as the most dreaded duo of fast bowlers that any nation had. Dale, often regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time in Test cricket, also emerged as the fastest South African bowler to take more than 100 Test Wickets and 3rd fastest 250 wickets. 

Then, in the year 2012, Dale Steyn was at his colossal best in England and supported South Africa to register a test series victory in England. He was the top wicket-taker in the series. 

Dale had his part of luck and his 200 wickets in ODI have come at a bargain rate of below 5 in an era wherein scores of more than 300 are chased persistently.

Dale Steyn has played in the first three seasons for RCB and afterward played for the Hyderabad franchise for the next couple of years. Dale then went on to play for Gujarat Lions for more than 2 years. Often regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time in Test cricket, it was disheartening to see that he was left unsold in player auctions for 201 IPL and partaken in IPL 2019 once he was signed in as an auxiliary of Nathan Coulter Nile.  

As soon as his age started catching up, the South African professional cricketer too had a fair share of injuries and because of that, he missed out on a lot of cricket after ICC World Cup 2015. He made his comeback onto the side prior to ICC World Cup 2019 and will be expecting to get his squad over the line for the very first time in a mega event.  

Personal Life:

Dale Steyn was born on 27-06-1983 in Phalaborwa, Limpopo, South Africa to Willem Steyn.  

The South African Cricket player has also acted in a Hollywood movie as an actor.

In the year 2011, he married renowned Hollywood actress Jeanne Kietzmann.

FAQs about Dale Steyn:

Why was Dale Steyn fined by the ICC?

In November 2013 in a T20 match against Pakistan, South African cricketer Dale Steyn was fined 10% of his match fee. He was fined for using offensive language at the end of the second over after Ahmed Shehzad hit him for a six.

Is Dale Steyn one of the best Bowlers in the world?

Dale Steyn is regarded as one of the best bowlers in world cricket. He was named as the ICC Test cricketer of the Year by the ICC in 2008. The South African professional cricketer took 78 wickets in 2007-2008 with an average of just 16.24.

Does Dale Steyn love league cricket?

Dale Steyn, one of the best bowlers of his generation, loves playing league cricket. 

Dale has remained part of many famous leagues like IPL, BBL, and PSL. He is playing IPL with the Royal challengers Bangalore and is still bought by the same team for the IPL 2020.

Which team is he representing in the PSL?

Dale Steyn is representing Islamabad United in the PSL 2020. The South African professional cricketer didn’t play the opening matches for Islamabad as he was unavailable but he has joined the team after the opening games.

What is Steyn thinking of “Mankad”?

During the U-19 ICC T20i World Cup 2020 the Afghanistan bowler ‘Mankad’ the Pakistani Batsman Muhammad Huraira. Many cricketers opposed this rule and Dale Steyn also responded to this. In a tweet, he said, “This shit getting outta hand”.

Interesting Facts About Dale Steyn:

• He used to love skateboarding in his youth.
• He loves to fish.
• He was included in South Africa’s test squad after playing just 8 first-class matches.
• He holds the record for bowling the fastest delivery in IPL when he clocked one delivery at 156.2 Kmph while playing for RCB.
• He made a cameo in the movie Blended, featuring Adam Sandler.
• He holds the record for the joint 2nd fastest 400 wickets in Test cricket. The South African professional cricketer shares this feat along with Richard Hadlee and both of them had their 400th scalp in the 80th Test. 
• The duo are behind legendary Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan who achieved this feat in 72 Tests.
• For 5 years in a row, he was ICC NO. 1 ranked Test fast bowler.

Playing style:

Steyn is an aggressive out-and-out fast bowler capable of bowling at speeds in excess of 150 km/h.

Often regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time in Test cricket, Dale is capable of generating considerable swing and is usually chosen to bowl with the new ball to maximize these attributes. He usually bowls between 140 km/h and 150 km/h.

He has also demonstrated the ability to reverse swing the older ball in a Test match against India in Nagpur in 2010, which South Africa won by an innings and six runs. Steyn is an extremely competitive cricketer and often celebrates vigorously after taking a wicket. The fast bowler has stated that he “love(s) the buzz from bowling fast” and that he “want(s) to be the quickest in the world”.

Steyn is usually considered a tail-ender when batting and usually bats at number nine. He is, however, a capable hitter of the ball and can also occupy the crease if required.

Awards:

• ICC Test Player of the Year: 2008
• ICC Test Team of the Year: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016
• ICC ODI Team of the Year: 2011, 2014
• ICC Test Team of the Decade: 2011–2020
• South African Cricketer of the Year: 2008
• Wisden Cricketer of the Year: 2014
• Wisden Leading Cricketer: 2013

Hollywood:

Pro South African cricketer Dale Steyn had a feature role in a Hollywood movie (2014’s Blended). The cricketer played a cameo as himself in the 2014 romantic comedy Blended starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore who fall in love despite having kids with other exes.