Dale Steyn had an incredible journey in the ICC Test Bowling Rankings throughout his career. Here’s a summary of his ranking progression since his debut:
Early Years (2004–2007)
- Made his Test debut in December 2004 against England.
- Initially struggled but gained momentum after 2006.
- By 2007, he was ranked in the top 10 after a sensational home season.
Peak Years (2008–2015) – World No. 1
- Became ICC’s No. 1 ranked Test bowler in April 2008.
- Dominated the rankings for 2635 days (almost 7 years)—a record for a fast bowler!
- Maintained the No. 1 ranking for 2343 consecutive days (2008–2014).
- His highest rating: 909 points (December 2013)—one of the best in Test history.
Decline Due to Injuries (2016–2019)
- Frequent injuries caused a dip in rankings.
- By 2016, he slipped out of the top 10.
- Briefly returned to the top 10 in 2018 before retiring from Test cricket in 2019.
Legacy
Dale Steyn remains one of the greatest Test bowlers ever all over the world, with one of the longest reigns as ICC’s No. 1 ranked bowler. His records and impact on the game are legendary and unmatchable!