Dale Steyn's rise to national selection was rapid, being picked in the side for the first Test against England in December 2004 little more than a season after making his first-class debut. A genuinely fast, if slightly raw, bowler, who moves the ball away from right-handers, Steyn sprints to the wicket and hurls the ball down with aggression, and often follows with a snarl or side for the batsman. He was expected to be included in the squad which toured India, but the selectors held him back, preferring to keep him as a secret weapon on home soil. At the highest level his lack of experience was exposed but there was enough to suggest that he could be a force to be reckoned with. Recalled to the Test side in April 2006, he responded with his first five-wicket haul, as New Zealand were routed in the first Test at Centurion. Finished the three-Test series with 16 wickets, and made a fine impression throughout. Took 3 for 129 in the first Test against Sri Lanka in July, and 5 for 82 in the first innings of the second match even as South Africa slumped to a 2-0 series whitewash. Although not a permanent fixture during the 2006-07 the development continued and he brought an added dimension to the new-ball attack as South Africa searched for a cutting edge. He took 10 cheap wickets in three Tests against India and Pakistan although hasn't been able to find a place in the one-day set-up. He had a good stint with Warwickshire in 2007, topping the wickets table in the limited overs games with 16 wickets. He was the dominant force behind South Africa's home series wins against New Zealand and West Indies, picking up 40 wickets in five Tests. He followed it up with 14 in two Tests on the tour of Bangladesh, picking up three consecutive Man-of the-Series awards. He also went past Allan Donald's record of the quickest South African to 100 Test wickets.
Martin Williamson and Cricinfo Staff March 2008

• 'I thrive on responsibility' (Jul 25, 2008)
  
• South Africa storm to ten-wicket win (Jul 21, 2008)
  
• Flintoff returns to boost England (Jul 17, 2008)
  
• 'Overawed' South African attack on recovery road (Jul 16, 2008)
  
• 'This innings is a write-off' - Arthur (Jul 11, 2008)
  

View the full list of 125 related articles

Jul 21, 2008 Makhaya Ntini, Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel plot their downfall of England © Getty Images

Jul 21, 2008 Dale Steyn rues one that got away as Andrew Flintoff digs in for England © Getty Images

Jul 21, 2008 Dale Steyn roars an unsuccessful appeal against Alastair Cook © Getty Images

View the full list of 134 related images