Cricket Special Report: Bettor.com’s Top 10 Classy-Batsmen from 1990 onwards (Part 11)
(Continuation of Part 10 and the discussion regarding the top ten classy batsmen from 1990 onwards, keeping in mind, that case in point is South African Batsman Gary Kirsten)
Gary Kirsten’s ability to stay on the crease for longer periods became evident when he scored his test career best of 275 runs, as he stayed in the middle for over 14 and half hours, which is the second-longest innings in terms of duration in the history
of the longer version of the game.
His desire to score quickly, never ending determination to do well, and above all, his ability to play for longer periods enabled the veteran star batsman to be one of the all time greats in the batting department. Although, he might lack the text-bookish
technique that is required for a classy batsman, but his exceptionally unique batting technique and foot-work movement on the crease appeared, as if the veteran had all the time in the world to play his wide collection of shots.
Gary Kirsten is among the few players who have done extremely well in all parts of the world, especially on sub-continent tracks, where most of the international players struggle as they fail to negate the awkward bounce and turning pitches of the region.
Kirsten over the years of his international career has worked really hard on his weaknesses, and tried to make the most out of his strengths. By the end of his career, he still remained in fine form, as his last couple of innings turned out to be match-winning
performances for his South African national cricket team.
Gary Kirsten was born on 23rd November, 1967 in Cape Town, Cape Province, South Africa. The veteran played for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 and Western Province cricket teams respectively. He is among the few cricketers who bat left handily and bowl with their
right arm. Thus, besides his inclusion in the above two teams as a batsman, the veteran has also appeared as a part-time right-arm off-break bowler.
In his 11 years of test cricket, he had played a total of 101 matches, scoring 7289 runs, at an average of 45.27. He had 21 centuries and 34 half-centuries, with a best of 275 to his name. He also had maintained a modest strike rate of 43.43, by striking
922 boundaries and 12 hits out of the park.
On the contrary, his 10 years of ODI cricket allowed the veteran to play 185 matches, as he scored a massive of 6798 runs, at an average of 40.95. He has 13 centuries and 45 half-centuries to his name, with a best of 188 not out runs. He was also able to
maintain an impressive strike rate of 72.04 in the limited version of the game, as he struck 659 boundaries and 20 smashing sixes.
His credentials do speak out of his potential as a world-class batsman. One will always remember the greats of this South African cricketer for his effortless run scoring ability. At present, the veteran is coaching the Indian national cricket team, and
arguably, it is his recruitment in the national Indian side which has made them achieve the number 1 test team ranking of the world.
The veteran South African surely is worthy of a position among the top ten classy batsmen in both test and ODI cricket from 1990 onwards. On the contrary, the bettor.com team ranks http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Gary-Kirsten-c58527 at number 9, in light of the other cricketing greats included
in the top ten classy batsmen fraternity of the last two decades.
Mahela Jayawardene
Besides the like of senior Lankan Tiger Arvainda de Silva, Mahela Jayawardene is also among the fraternity of the top 10 classy batsmen from the year 1990 and till present day. He stands in light of all the cricketing greats who have simply dazzled the cricket
world through their exceptional art of stroke play.
(To Be Continued...Part 12)
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