Dale Steyn credits his success to Allan Donald

Dale Steyn celebrates with his teammates after taking the wicket of Mahela Jayawardene at Galle

At Galle, South Africa completed their win over Sri Lanka with a massive victory margin of 153, where Dale Steyn took 9 wickets and recorded his best figures against Sri Lanka, surpassing his previous best of six for 54 at Centurion.

Dale Steyn thanks Allan Donald

The South African fast bowler paid tribute to his coach and role model Allan Donald for his recent success.

Steyn owing the credit to the former Proteas speedster said "Allan is an amazing bowler. I watched a couple of his YouTube videos before I bowled here (Galle) and he was just incredible. And then every day he comes and tells you how good you are and what a legend you are. That must take a lot out of him because he is a legend himself. That's why every time I take wickets, I try to signal to him; to try and say this is not just for the team and the fans. This is to say thank you. He keeps me going.

Impressive bowling in the sub-continent

Interestingly, the pacer has an impressive bowling average of 22.17 in the sub-continent (given the condition here are slow-natured in this part of the world) and has taken 80 wickets in mere 16 Tests becoming the first non-Asian fast bowler to do so.

As a matter of fact, Steyn’s tally of 261 wickets in 39 Tests (average being 16.09) has largely been in winning causes for South Africa.

More effective with lower average

Moreover, there has been a shift in gear in Steyn’s performance after Donald has taken over as South Africa’s bowling coach in 2011. Steyn has looked more penetrative and miserly, relating to the fact that in the recent years he has taken more than one-third of his total career wickets at a lower average too.

"Every time I go on tour I want to better my last performance. Every time I come to the subcontinent I want to do well," the 31-year-old said. "If I run in and take a five-for on a green track, no-one cares but if you run in and take a five-for here, that really counts."

Steyn has claimed 111 wickets at an average of 16.63 in 16 Tests since. He will be satisfied with his performance and he would cherish it for the reason that it came on a slow and turning track at Galle where someone like Muttiah Murathilathan is expected to make the batsmen dance, and not a fast bowler.