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.

In September 2008, Steyn was named the ICC's Test Player of the Year, taking 86 wickets at an average of just 18.10 in the 14 Test matches he played during the period in consideration. He capped off an remarkable 2008, during which he finished as the leading Test wicket-taker, with a Man-of-the-Match performance - ten wickets and an equally-vital first-innings 76 - in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, helping South Africa to an unassailable 2-0 lead and their first Test series triumph in Australia.
Martin Williamson and Cricinfo Staff December 2008

ICC Test Player of the Year 2008

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Jan 3, 2009 Dale Steyn at the top of his run-up © PA Photos

Dec 30, 2008 South Africa savour a job well done © PA Photos

Dec 30, 2008 Man of the Match Dale Steyn is congratulated by Mickey Arthur © PA Photos

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