'Simply the best' - the world reacts to Dale Steyn's milestone
As play begun, his bowling partner and close friend Morne Morkel already had the champagne on ice...
Got a good feeling I’m popping these in the first hour.. so excited for @DaleSteyn62!! #422 pic.twitter.com/ENO5HWoKCC
— Morne Morkel (@mornemorkel65) December 26, 2018
And it didn't take long for the legendary fast bowler to strike, as Fakhar Zaman edged the first ball of Steyn's fourth over behind to take him to the milestone.
DALE STEYN MAKES HISTORY! 🙌
— ICC (@ICC) December 26, 2018
With Fakhar Zaman's wicket, his 422nd, the South Africa paceman becomes his country's most successful Test bowler.
READ ⬇️https://t.co/kxEmcEVuqo pic.twitter.com/4u9liXGqbK
Shaun Pollock, the man Steyn replaced atop the tree, had a heartfelt statement ready and waiting...
Well done @DaleSteyn62 👑 pic.twitter.com/YzZM7O7ghg
— Shaun Pollock (@7polly7) December 26, 2018
...And the ground DJ had clearly done some preparations too!
Dale Steyn, we salute you! What a man, what a player. Fitting that “Simply the best” is playing at Supersport Park, where everything started! Congrats legend @DaleSteyn62
— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) December 26, 2018
Of course, Steyn is no stranger to striking quickly. In fact, he might just be the best there's ever been at it.
Best ever strike-rates for bowlers with 200 or more Test wickets:
— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) December 26, 2018
Dale Steyn 42.00
Waqar Younis 43.40#Cricket
But fast bowling is just one of his many talents.
Congrats to the coolest surfing, fishing , skateboarding fast bowler on the planet on becoming the leading wicket taker in Test cricket for South Africa 🇿🇦🙌🏼🥂 Dale Steyn you beauty… https://t.co/GrAIortFaC
— Robin John Peterson (@robbie13flair) December 26, 2018
The tributes soon started pouring in, not just from South Africa but from around the world.
Well deserved for a true champion. Lengend of a cricketer and a legend of a bloke. https://t.co/qUC99pgvAL
— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) December 26, 2018
To take over @7polly7 to become South Africa’s highest wicket taker in 19 tests lesser is some feat. Congratulations to @dalesteyn62! 🙌🏻 pic.twitter.com/Gfg7W3Laeu
— Vinod Kambli (@vinodkambli349) December 26, 2018
And it wasn't long until people were wondering what the next record the paceman had in his sights was!