Dale Steyn announces retirement from Test cricket

South Africa pacer Dale Steyn on Monday announced his retirement from Test cricket, according to the International Cricket Council (ICC).

The Proteas fast bowler featured in 93 Tests and claimed 439 wickets in his illustrious career in the five-day format.

"Today I walk away from a format of the game I love so much," said the 36-year-old Steyn, his country´s leading Test wicket-taker of all time and one of the top 10 in the history of the game.

"In my opinion Test cricket is the best version of this game. It tests you mentally, physically, emotionally. It´s terrible to consider never playing another Test again but what´s more terrifying is the thought of never playing again at all."

"So I will be focusing on ODIs and T20s for the rest of my career to maximise my full potential and ensure my longevity in this sport... I look forward to continuing to play for the Proteas in the shorter formats."

Cricket South Africa (CSA) chief executive Thabang Moroe hailed Steyn as "undoubtedly one of the all-time greats of cricket".

"He has been one of the standout fast bowlers in world cricket. He has led the South African attack brilliantly and has set the standard for our future generations to follow," said a "saddened" Moroe.

"More than that he has been a wonderful mentor to our next generation of speedsters."

As pointed out by the ICC, Steyn had the "lowest strike-rate of any bowler with more than 200 Test wickets". He also bagged "more Test wickets than any other South African cricketer".