Dale Steyn: Revisiting a modern day legend's career through pictures

What’s next for the Steyn gun?

Steyn is consoled by Grant Elliot after South Africa’s heartbreaking loss to New Zealand

2015 witnessed Steyn gather all his forces one last time, in a bid to fulfil South Africa’s dreams of lifting the coveted World Cup trophy. It proved to be one bridge too much for the pacer to cross, becoming the face of his team’s loss to New Zealand in the semi-finals.

Steyn bowled the final delivery that was hit for a six, ironically off the bat of a South African, as Grant Elliot became a national hero and took the Kiwis to victory.

Shoulder strapped in a sling, Steyn talks to his birthday buddy Kevin Pietersen in 2016

Since then, he has looked a pale shadow of his former self, making sparing appearances for South Africa in all formats. He returned in 2016 for a couple of World T20 matches, and later for the Test series against Australia, which, even until June 2017, remains his last match for his nation. As he prepares for life after 34, always a difficult proposition for a fast bowler, he might have to let go of one of the formats in order to prolong his career. A lightning fast Steyn might have been lost forever, but a fit-again and craftier version featuring for South Africa can be hoped for.