South Africa's Dale Steyn creates history in Test cricket, breaks Kapil Dev's long standing record

South African bowler Dale Steyn and his fellow teammates helped Proteas gain momentum against Sri Lanka on the second day of the first Test at Kingsmead in Durban on Thursday. Steyn took four wickets for 48 runs and in the process he broke Indian all-rounder Kapil Dev’s record.

In 1994, Kapil Dev became the highest wicket-taker in Test cricket after which 8 bowlers have crossed past Kapil’s record of 434 wickets. After taking four wickets against Sri Lanka Steyn took his tally of 433 to 437 wickets from 92 matches.

The South African pacer became the seventh most successful bowler in the history of Test cricket in terms of wickets. Steyn is behind Muralitharan, who has 800 Test scalps from 133 matches. Shane Warne, Anil Kumble, Jimmy Anderson, Glenn McGrath and Walsh are above Steyn.

Sri Lanka were bowled out for 191 on first day after which their inexperienced bowlers surprised South African batsmen, who could manage only 235 runs in their first innings. Steyn and Philander took three wickets in the first ten overs after Sri Lanka resumed at 49 for one on Thursday.

Kusal Perera played some good shots to make 51 off 63 balls. The Sri Lankans frustrated the Proteas as they made a ninth-wicket partnership between Lasith Embuldeniya and Kasun Rajitha. It was particularly frustrating for Steyn, who bowled unchanged for a ten-over spell after lunch in a bid to claim the 27th five-wicket haul of his Test career.

South Africa and Sri Lanka are playing a two-match Test series against each other. South Africa is already looking good in the first Test.