Veteran South African batsman Gary Kirsten was shedding tears after his gutsy farewell to Test cricket ruined New Zealand’s shot at an historic series win in Wellington on Tuesday.
The only South African to play 100 Tests walked off a cricket pitch for the last time wiping his eyes after he led the tourists to victory in his final match.
”From a personal point of view this is the highlight of my Test career, to bat with Smithy [captain Graeme Smith] and win us a Test match, it’s very satisfying,” the 36-year-old said.
Kirsten scored 76 in his final innings to leave him with the world-class figures of 7 289 runs from 101 matches at 45,27, with 34 half-centuries and 21 centuries.
After Scott Styris removed him in his second innings of his final Test, with South Africa 27 runs short of victory, the usually stoic Kirsten kissed his helmet before walking off with tears in his eyes as he departed through a guard of honour from teammates who embraced him at the boundary.
”I wasn’t relaxed at all I can tell you that. It was always going to be an emotional day and with the stress the team’s gone under this tour we were really determined to win just to make the tour a bit better,” a beaming Kirsten said later.
Kirsten made his debut against Australia in 1993/94 and spent the next 11 years becoming South Africa’s batting rock as they struggled in the immediate years after their international isolation.
His farewell looked set to fall flat after he racked up three consecutive scores of one since announcing his retirement before the second Test in Auckland.
But he put things right with a stand of 171 with Smith, whom he rated a much more talented player.
”He’s a far better cricketer than that. He stole my place as an opening batter a couple of years ago and I had to find somewhere else to bat.”
For Smith’s part he doffed his cap to ”Gazza” who leaves a big hole in South Africa’s batting order.
”From a cricketing point of view we’re going to miss him, and I’m glad we could give him something to smile about today,” Smith said. — Sapa-AFP