Dale Steyn Pays Tribute to 'Guru' Allan Donald

Dale Steyn, whose fiery spell helped South Africa secure an emphatic 153-run victory against Sri Lanka in Galle on Sunday, paid tribute to former Proteas speedster Allan Donald for giving new direction to his burgeoning international career. For Steyn, the world's best quick bowler, Donald has been more than a role model.

Steyn (9/99) produced his best match figures versus Sri Lanka in the Galle Test. This bettered the six for 54 at Centurion in December 2011. Steyn's figures are a record by a South African bowler in a Test match versus the Lankans in Sri Lanka and they were the best by a quickie in a Test match at Galle.

"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," Steyn said. "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."

Steyn is the first non-Asian fast bowler to complete 80 wickets in the sub-continent at an average of 22.17 in 16 Tests. Steyn's tally of 261 wickets (average 16.06) in 39 Tests is a South African record in a winning cause. A lot of this success has come after Donald took over as South Africa's bowling coach in June 2011. Steyn has looked more incisive and economic.

"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," Steyn 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." (Stats: South Africa Ride on Dale Steyn's Record Breaking Figures)

Steyn has produced a strike rate of 32.0 away from home and neutral venues while claiming 111 wickets at an average of 16.63 in 16 Tests -- the best amongst the 10 bowlers with at least 100 wickets in a winning cause. At Galle, Steyn won his ninth Man of the Match award in Tests, his first against Sri Lanka. For a quickie to be so effective on a sub-continental surface needs skill and motivation.