Cricket -> Cricket News -> Report

Kirsten to chase Cronje's One-day record
Jan 08, 2001, 16:30 Hrs (IST)

Paarl: When the One-day cricket match between South Africa and Sri Lanka begins on Tuesday, opener Gary Kirsten will be chasing a record set by banned former captain Hansie Cronje for the most number of runs scored by a South African in One-day games.

Cronje set a record of 5,565 runs in 188 games, and would probably have set a higher target had he not been banned from the game after he confessed to being involved in match-fixing.

Kirsten needs only 55 runs to overtake Cronje's record, having scored 5,511 runs in 148 games. Apart from achieving the record in fewer games, Kirsten will also hold the "golden double" of the most runs for his country in Tests and One-day games.

Kirsten will achieve the 22nd position in world rankings after reaching the target. He also holds another South African record. His 10 centuries for South Africa is miles ahead of the five made by all-rounder Jacques Kallis.

Last year, Kirsten was the second highest scorer of One-day runs (1,467) worldwide. Indian captain Saurav Ganguly topped the list with 1,597 runs.

India Abroad News Service