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/ 15 May 2008

Kirsten: Test cricket must adapt

Test cricket needs a radical overhaul to ensure its continued existence in the face of the Twenty20 revolution, India coach Gary Kirsten said. Kirsten suggested in an article on his personal website that there should be a one-year cycle of Test matches with an annual champion.

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/ 24 March 2008

SA to come up against familiar faces in India

Graeme Smith’s South Africa will have two close friends and compatriots plotting their downfall when they begin a three-Test series against India in Chennai on Wednesday. Former Proteas batsman Gary Kirsten starts his two-year stint as India’s chief coach, and India’s support staff also includes another South African, Paddy Upton.

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/ 22 March 2008

Smith: We can rise to the challenge

South Africa are confident they will put their selection problems behind them during Test series in India, skipper Graeme Smith said on Saturday. The tourists arrived for the three-Test series amid a storm or controversy following the omission of paceman Andre Nel to fulfil the team’s quota of black players.

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/ 1 March 2008

SA set more records after opening heroics

After setting an opening partnership record and declaring their first innings on 583 for seven, South Africa also posted a wicketkeeping record on the second day of the second Test against Bangladesh on Saturday. With two catches behind, wicketkeeper Mark Boucher overtook Adam Gilchrist and took his tally for Test wicketkeeping catches to 401

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/ 1 March 2008

SA shatter world record

Skipper Graeme Smith and Neil McKenzie set a world record for an opening wicket stand to help South Africa amass 509 for one at lunch on the second day of the second and final Test against Bangladesh on Saturday. McKenzie was not out for 223 with Hashim Amla unbeaten on 35 at lunch.

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/ 29 February 2008

Smith, McKenzie pound Bangladesh

Graeme Smith and Neil McKenzie put on a record opening stand as South Africa seized complete control of the second Test against Bangladesh on the opening day on Friday. The South African skipper batted superbly for his unbeaten 223, his fourth double ton in Tests, while McKenzie also impressed with a career-best 169 not out.

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/ 27 February 2008

India’s aggression pleases Kirsten

India’s new cricket coach Gary Kirsten said on Wednesday he was impressed with the team’s aggressive attitude despite controversies on their ongoing tour of Australia. ”What I like about Indian cricket as a whole now, and especially about the young players, is that they are ready to accept the battle,” said the former South African batsman, who officially takes over as coach next month.

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/ 17 January 2008

Polly gets set for farewell series

Shaun Pollock said he didn’t want his final round of international matches to be a ”Polly parade” but it is inevitable that South Africa’s star all-rounder will be feted as he makes his last appearances at the country’s major grounds during a five-match one-day international series against the West Indies, which starts at Centurion on Sunday.

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/ 5 December 2007

India unsure over choice of Kirsten

Former India players and cricket lovers have expressed reservations over the appointment of former South Africa batting stalwart Gary Kirsten as new coach of the national team. The 40-year-old former opener, a prolific scorer who played 101 Tests until his retirement in 2004, is to take over as the new coach for a two-year term.

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/ 4 December 2007

Kirsten signs contract to coach India

Former South African opener Gary Kirsten signed a two-year contract to coach India on Tuesday. ”It will be a great honour to coach the game’s most passionately supported team, and I can’t wait to take on what I know will be one of the biggest challenges of my ongoing career in cricket,” Kirsten said from Cape Town.

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/ 4 December 2007

Kirsten wants players’ ‘buy-in’

Former South Africa opening batsman Gary Kirsten has delayed taking over as India coach, saying he wants assurances from the players over the job. ”I have heard rumours about some senior players expressing their concern about my possible appointment and I would prefer to have clarity on that before I commit myself,” Kirsten said.

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/ 28 November 2007

Kirsten offered India coaching job

Former South Africa batsman Gary Kirsten said on Tuesday he has been offered the job as India coach. ”They have offered me the job,” Kirsten said from Delhi. ”I asked them for some time to consider it and they were very obliging, but it’s an extremely exciting prospect and, provided a few details can be worked out, I’m looking forward to the challenge,” he said.

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/ 27 November 2007

Kirsten in line for India coaching job

Former South Africa batsman Gary Kirsten is being considered for the vacant India cricket coach job, the Indian board said on Tuesday. Kirsten (40) was interviewed by members of the board’s special coach committee on Monday, secretary Niranjan Shah said in a statement and a decision is expected within a week

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/ 16 November 2007

From beachboy to spearhead

When Chris Martin was selected to play his first Test match for New Zealand, in
Bloemfontein in November 2000, one cricket writer suggested he ”had been plucked from the beach”. Once wavy-haired, with a reputation for roistering, Martin now has the shorn aspect of a Buddhist monk.