Dale Steyn, the fastest South African to reach 100 test wickets is currently ranked number one Test bowler in the world. Steyn is a crucial South African bowler capable of bowling at speeds in excess of 150 kmph. He is capable of generating swings and has also demonstrated the capability to reverse swing the older ball in a test match against India in 2010.
Dale made his first class debut for Northerns (now Titans) in 2003. Looking at his excellent performances, he was called to join the South African Test squad against England wherein his show was not much satisfactory. On his return to domestic cricket in South Africa, Steyn bowled excellently for the Titans through the 2005-06 season which earned him a recall to the Test squad to face New Zealand. After that there was no looking back. He cemented his place in South African Test squad with his excellent play. Steyn made his One Day International debut for South Africa on 20 January 2006 in a match against Australia at Melbourne. By 2007-08 he had successfully established himself in the South African squad and he produced his finest series performance till that date in the two Test matches against New Zealand in November. Dale Steyn got career best ODI figures of 5 wickets for 50 runs against India in Nagpur during the Cricket World Cup 2011.
Steyn currently has the third best bowling strike rate of all time in Test match cricket He achieved a tally of 78 wickets at the world class average of 16.24 in Season 2007-08and was subsequently rewarded with the prestigious ICC 2008 Test Cricketer of the Year Award.
Dale Steyn was one of the players to go for a over a million dollars in the auction for the fourth edition of the Indian Premier League. He was bought by the Deccan Chargers for $1.2 million.