Dale Steyn's formidable statistics

Nothing quite excites in cricket as much as watching a genuinely fast bowler at the top of his game and that's exactly what Dale Steyn was after lunch against Australia yesterday.

For sure, Australia's batting line-up (and that of South Africa's too) seems to have a collective case of severe osteoporosis given its propensity for sudden collapse, but Steyn once again was magnificent.

We suggested last week that assuming that Steyn maintains his current level of peformance he will be as deserving as Sachin Tendulkar of a place in the pantheon of all-time greats, and here's three reasons why:

Formidable strike rate - As we highlighted last week, of those that have taken over 100 wickets, Steyn has the second highest strike rate in Test history with a wicket every 39.4 balls. 

Surpassing Lillee - If Steyn takes just two wickets in the second innings, he will overtake Dennis Lillee - not a bad fast bowler himself - as the fastest ever to 250 Test wickets. 

He's getting better - The frightening thing for the world's batsmen is that Steyn appears to be geeting better. Since the start of 2010, he has taken 76 wickets in 14 Tests at an average of 20 and a strike rate of 38.

Now that's what we call stunning figures.

Where next?

Dale Steyn's duel with Michael Clarke

Dale Steyn's place in the cricketing pantheon alongside Sachin Tendulkar

1st Test: South Africa v Australia - South Africa marks out of 10

What Jacques Kallis had for breakfast this morning

Cricket Heroes: Dennis Lillee

Check out all our Reverse Sweep cricket heroes and zeroes 

If you like this, follow us on Twitter @thereversesweep

Comments

[gorras de skate mercadolibre]

How to switch Wordpress menu from right side to the left?

[Monster Energy Gorras]

I want to start a blog where I can talk to people and have them respond to my blogs. Not myspace or facebook. I tried blogger but the only blogs I could find were about global warming and guns. I want some where that I can open an account and say what I feel and people respond to my blogs and I can respond to theres. If anyone could help me that would be great!.