Pollock praises Steyn on making SA history

Shaun Pollock said on Wednesday that it was only fitting that Dale Steyn has broken his record for the most Test wickets for South Africa because he is the greatest fast bowler the country has ever had.

Steyn claimed his 422nd wicket in his 89th Test, going past Pollock’s mark of 421 wickets in 108 Tests, when he had Fakhar Zaman caught at third slip by Dean Elgar for 12, in his fourth over of the day as Pakistan chose to bat first on the first day of the first Test at Centurion.

“The fact that Dale is the best Test fast bowler that South Africa has produced doesn’t require my endorsement as his stats and record tell you that. He’s 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. He’s been a fantastic bowler for so long.

“Dale’s performances both home and away have been remarkable in so many ways and I have enjoyed so many attributes of his bowling through his international career – the ability to swing the ball at high speed up front, reverse-swing the ball with devastating effect, bowl with great control and within himself, as well as being able to crank it up with high-speed hostile bowling on very flat surfaces at times, have all been his hallmarks,” Pollock said at Centurion on Wednesday.

Pollock, who played his last Test in 2008, also hailed Steyn’s inspirational effect in the change room for the Proteas.

“More importantly, Dale’s a great guy and he deserves all the best. He has spearheaded the attack for many years and gives the team a lift when they need it most. Fast bowling has always been a characteristic strength in South African cricket and records undoubtedly serve as motivation for our current and future stars. I look forward to seeing the hugely talented KG Rabada going on to surpass these records,” Pollock said.

In a highly fitting moment, it was Rabada – surely the next man to hold the record for most Test wickets for South Africa as he already has 152 in just 33 Tests – hoisted Steyn on to his shoulders at the fall of the wicket.

It will be remembered as a seminal moment when the present record-holder was lifted on the shoulders of the future record-holder, with the acclaim of the previous bearer of the record.