Justin Langer
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Gary Kirsten

Gary Kirsten, wicket-keeper, Cricketers Who Surprisingly Played As A Designed Wicket-Keeper
Gary Kirsten (Image Credit: Twitter)

Former South African cricketer Gary Kirsten was one of the greatest left-handed batsmen in his country’s international cricket history. After his playing career, he also became a very successful coach as India won the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 under his coaching.

Kirsten served for South Africa from 1993 to 2004, where he played 101 Tests and 185 ODIs. The left-handed batsman, who mostly batted in the opening position, scored 7289 Test runs (average 45.27) and 6798 ODI runs (average 40.95). Also, as a part-time off-spinner, Kirsten picked up two Test wickets.

During the Mumbai ODI against India on 14th December 1996, Kirsten played as a designed wicket-keeper, which was also his only such experience during his entire international career. In that game, Kirsten took a catch of the Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin and also stumped the centurion opening batsman Sachin Tendulkar.

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