5 South African bowlers with most wickets in international cricket ft. Dale Steyn
South Africa has always been one of the most consistent sides in international cricket. They played some fantastic cricket in the pre-apartheid era and resumed their impressive journey in international cricket as if they had never been away.
One can only imagine the kind of records Proteas greats like Graeme Pollock, Barry Richards and Mike Procter, among others, would have produced had their careers not coincided with South Africa's isolation from international cricket.
Ever since making a return to the big stage, the Proteas have been among the best in the business. The only disappointment for them has been the fact that they are yet to lift a World Cup trophy in any format. Their only ICC title triumph came in 1998, when they won the ICC KnockOut Trophy.
South Africa has been blessed, as their land has produced some of the greatest bowlers of all time, especially when it comes to the pace department. On that note, let's look at five South African bowlers with the most wickets in international cricket.
#5 Jacques Kallis
Legendary all-rounder Jacques Kallis features at No. 5 on the list of South African players with the most wickets in international cricket. The former right-arm pacer featured in 519 matches (574 innings) and claimed 557 wickets at an average of 32.14, with seven five-wicket hauls.
Kallis played 166 Test matches and picked up 292 scalps at an average of 32.65, with five five-wicket hauls. The 48-year-old also claimed 273 wickets in 328 ODIs at an average of 31.79, with two five-fers. In T20Is, Kallis claimed 12 wickets in 25 matches, with a best of 4-15.
#4 Allan Donald
'White Lightning' Allan Donald is fourth on the list of South African bowlers with the most wickets in international cricket. He played 236 matches (291 innings) and picked up 602 wickets at an excellent average of 22.04, with 22 five-fers and three 10-wicket match hauls.
Donald featured in 72 Test matches and claimed 330 wickets, averaging 23.63, with 20 five-fers and three 10-wicket match hauls. The 57-year-old played 164 ODIs, in which he picked up 272 wickets at an average of 21.78, with two five-fers to his credit. Donald retired from international cricket before the T20 era.
#3 Makhaya Ntini
Another former speedster, Makhaya Ntini, is in the top three on the famed list of South African bowlers with the most wickets in international cricket. Ntini played 284 matches (371 innings) and claimed 662 wickets at an average of 27.33, with 22 five-fers and four 10-wicket match hauls.
Ntini ended his Test career with 101 matches, claiming 390 wickets at an average of 28.82, with 18 five-fers and four 10-wicket match hauls. In ODIs, the 47-year-old picked up 266 scalps in 173 matches at an average of 24.65, with four five-fers. Ntini also played 10 T20Is and picked up six wickets with a best of 2-22.
#2 Dale Steyn
South Africa's fast bowling legend, Dale Steyn, occupies the second spot on the list of Proteas bowlers with the most number of wickets in international cricket. Steyn played 265 international matches (342 innings) and picked up 699 wickets at an average of 23.37, with 29 five-fers and five 10-wicket match hauls.
The former right-arm speedster played 93 Tests and picked up 439 wickets at an average of 22.95, with 26 five-fers and five 10-wicket match hauls. Steyn was also brilliant in ODIs, claiming 196 wickets in 125 matches at an average of 25.95, with three five-fers. In T20Is, the 41-year-old played 47 games, claiming 64 wickets at an average of 18.35, with a best of 4-9.
#1 Shaun Pollock
Former captain and all-rounder Shaun Pollock tops the list of South African bowlers with most wickets in international cricket. He played 423 matches (510 innings) and claimed 829 wickets at an average of 23.73, which included 21 five-fers and one ten-wicket match haul.
Pollock featured in 108 Test matches and claimed 421 wickets at an average of 23.11, with 16 five-fers and one 10-wicket match haul. In ODIs, he claimed 393 wickets in 303 matches, averaging 24.50, with five five-fers. The 51-year-old also played 12 T20Is, picking up 15 wickets at an average of 20.60, with a best of 3-28.