Well played, Gary Kirsten

[Donny]

Kirsten pulls career stumps

Fox


GARY Kirsten, who supported South African cricket in the trying years of its return to Test play, wrapped up a distinguished career yesterday with a final Test win and a tied series against New Zealand.

Kirsten made one and 76 in the last of his 101 Test matches and 176 innings, sharing a match-winning 171-run stand with his captain Graeme Smith.

He declared his career closed after 11 years with 7289 Test runs and an average of 45.27.

South Africa reached their winning target of 234 less than 30 minutes after lunch on the final day, posting their 16th win in 30 Tests against New Zealand, remaining the only Test nation never to have lost a series to the Kiwis.

The match, which had tipped one way then another with every session over four days, hung in a precarious balance at the start of the final day.

South Africa resumed at 2-82, still needing 152 to win while New Zealand needing a less likely seven wickets to win and save the series.

Kirsten was out for 76 with only one ball left until lunch, trapped lbw by Scott Styris. He had batted for 227 minutes and shared a pivotal partnership with Smith (125 not out) which was a fourth-wicket record for South Africa against New Zealand.

His half century was his 33rd in test matches and he left South Africa at 207-4, within 27 runs of fourth-highest winning fourth-innings total.

Sri Lankan umpire Asoka de Silva performed the final act over Kirsten's career, upholding New Zealand's appeal for lbw in the 66th over.

[commonwombat]

Goodbye to a great servant of South African cricket. He has probably been the unpretentious blue collar worker of the side and, from 94 onwards, the rock of what was until recently an insecure top-middle order.

A great batsman ?? No, but a very good one who despite sometimes looking ordinary fought it out and managed good scores against nearly all opponents.

He was cast into the Test opening position as a replacement during SA's 93-94 Australian tour despite not not opening at first class level. Not blessed with the outstanding talent of his older half-brother Peter, he has made the very most of what he does possess .

The developement to top intl standard of Herchelle Gibbs and Jacques Kallis owes much to the steadying influence of Gary Kirsten. South African cricket owes deep gratitude for his services and all plaudits are well deserved.

Tot siens, Gary

[BJ]

Stuff South Africa. They are crap. They have a mental block against the aussies, Kirsten was a bunny for us. He is a junk player like most of the SA team, perform when they play against weak nations, but fail when pressure is on.
Gary Kirsten... Good riddens, the only players worth anything in that team are Kallis and Pollock!

BJ

[Blanch]

Much like the Craig Bradley's of football, I hated him when he was playing but will give him his plaudits now he's retired. He's been a rock in the SA team when unrest was plentiful. Well done on your career.