‘Champions Trophy title as Kirsten’s parting gift’

Steyn hopes South Africa can win trophy for retiring coach.

MUMBAI: South Africa hope to give coach Gary Kirsten the perfect parting gift by winning next month’s Champions Trophy, and have no fears that his replacement, Russell Domingo, is up to the job of guiding the world’s best test team to further success, said pace spearhead Dale Steyn.

The Champions Trophy will be the last tournament in charge for Kirsten, who stunned South African cricket last week by announcing he would not renew his contract as he wanted to spend more time with his young family.

Steyn, ranked the world’s best Test bowler, said it would be fitting for Kirsten to win the Champions Trophy as he departs South Africa, given his last act as India coach was to steer his side to World Cup triumph in 2011.

“That would be very nice,” said Steyn. “It would be a lovely way for him to exit the side. [It would be in] similar fashion when he left India after he won the World Cup.

“It wouldn’t be that bad if we say to him, ‘Yeah you can go home and you can take another trophy with you’. That would be pretty good.”

Kirsten is the most successful coach in Test and limited overs cricket in recent years, having led India to a World Cup win in 2011 and guiding them, and subsequently the South African team, to the top of the Test rankings.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 16^th, 2013.