Salute Kirsten for a job well done

When a businessman quits to “spend more time with his family”, this is usually a coded message signifying he has been fired. But that is not the case with Proteas cricket coach Gary Kirsten, who has announced he will not renew his two-year contract when it expires in August.

Before taking the job in 2011 Kirsten was hesitant. Guiding fractious India to victory in the Cricket World Cup was part of an energy-sapping whirlwind of international travel. He was torn between family and South African cricket.

Now, aged 45, as the father of three young children, he has calculated that last year he was away from home for 250 days, which does not make for a properly functional family environment.

In the case of India, Kirsten quit while he was ahead. So, too, with the Proteas. Under his guidance they have won three Test series away, includ- ing England and Australia, and are ranked the world’s number one in this form of the game. In limited overs series the Proteas continue to be branded chokers. It will indeed be remarkable if they can shed that tag at his swansong, the International Cricket Council Champions Trophy starting next month.

In the absence of the injured Graeme Smith and the imperious Jacques Kallis, who was withdrawn for personal reasons, their chances are slim. But Kirsten has already proved his worth.

His announcement came in the same week as that of the retirement of Manchester Un i t e d ’ s legendary long- serving manager, Sir Alex Ferguson. While their cases are in many ways not comparable, they share characteristics. These include thoroughness and a gift for understanding how to get the best out of individuals in a team.

We salute Kirsten for a job well done.