Gary Kirsten

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Perhaps it's the hairstyle, but Gary Kirsten always seems a little older than his 32 years. Then again, it might just be that so established has Kirsten become at the top of the batting order that's it's almost impossible to think of a South African team without him. It's probably fair to say that Gary Kirsten has never been blessed with the flair and the almost pure technique of his half-brother Peter. But when it comes to determination, the ability to concentrate for long periods and a burning desire to score runs, there's little to choose between them. A left-hander with a relatively unique technique, Gary Kirsten has long since worked out his strengths and weaknesses and based his game around them. In this respect he is probably the most organised batsman to play for South Africa since readmission. Calm and level-headed, he brings a healthy degree of common sense to the art of batting. Which possibly explains why off the field and in the dressing room the dafter side of his personality comes out. Periodically Kirsten has endured patches when he persistently seems to get out in similar fashion - chopping it on to his stumps, for instance, or getting himself caught down the leg side. Each time this has happened, though, Kirsten has worked through the problem, made the adjustments and played himself back into form. He has enjoyed particular success on the sub-continent - where other players have floundered against the turning ball, Kirsten has drawn on patience and soft hands to see him through. And if there is any player likely to score a big hundred, then it's Kirsten. He currently shares the South African individual Test record of 275 with Daryll Cullinan but by rights the record should be his alone. After batting for over 141/2 hours as South Africa followed on against England at Kingsmead last summer, Kirsten contrived to get himself bowled by Mark Butcher. It was only Butcher's second Test wicket.