As Australian opener David Warner prepares for his retirement from Test cricket after the concluding Test of the series against Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground, he reflects on his challenging opponents over the years. Warner, who has had a distinguished career in Test cricket, singled out former South African fast bowler Dale Steyn as the most formidable bowler he has faced.
In a conversation with cricket.com.au, Warner fondly recalled the 2016/17 Test series against South Africa, highlighting Steyn's exceptional bowling skills. Steyn, renowned for his fast and aggressive bowling, retired as South Africa's most successful Test bowler, capturing 439 wickets in 93 matches. His impressive record places him among the top ten wicket-takers in Test cricket history.
"Without doubt it's Dale Steyn. I go back to the WACA (the first Test of the 2016-17 home series against South Africa) when me and Shaun Marsh had to go out for an ugly 45-minute session. Shaun came down to me and said, 'I can't pull him so I don't know how we're going to go about facing him'. He put me on my backside and I think he broke his shoulder as well that game," said Warner.
Warner described Steyn as a relentless competitor, emphasizing that Steyn never allowed him any leeway on the field. Steyn's illustrious international career boasts not only his Test achievements but also 196 wickets in ODIs and 64 wickets in T20Is.
"He's a fierce competitor who swung the ball back into the left-hander, which is similar to Mitchell Starc swinging the ball back into the right-hander at pace. He was always a fiery customer who never gave you a smile and never gave you an inch or a sniff on the field," Warner added.
As Warner gears up for his final appearance in Test cricket at his home venue, all eyes are on the veteran batsman. His farewell match comes at a time when Australia leads Pakistan 2-0 in the three-match series, setting the stage for an emotional and memorable exit for one of Australia's cricketing icons.
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