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Dubai – Gary Kirsten has added yet another string to his expanding bow as a globetrotting short-term coach, mentor or consultant.
Given his stated desire not to spend long periods away from his Capetonian family, the former Proteas batsman and coach and mastermind of India’s World Cup triumph in 2011 is reluctant to commit to full-time posts these days.
But he manages to spread the cricket gospel nevertheless and his latest gig here a few days ago was to hand out advice to a group of budding United Arab Emirates players at an Emirates airline-sponsored ground and nets facility in the tourist magnet of Dubai.
Kirsten held a two-day coaching clinic, at which 45 batsmen got to experience around 25 personal “throw-downs” from him each – in almost the same manner he used to serve Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar with thousands of deliveries during his tenure as Indian national coach.
Tendulkar gratefully considered Kirsten his human “bowling machine” in the closing years of his glittering career.
Kirsten’s visit earned a prominent report in the local Gulf News newspaper in which he received glowing praise from Gopal Jasapara, chief coach of the Dubai academy, G Force, that organised the clinic.
“Kirsten showed why he is a genius and hailed as one of the world’s best coaches,” Jasapara was quoted as saying.
“It was not merely teaching the techniques of the game, but his sessions were a lesson on what makes a good cricketer on and off the field.”
The left-handed former Proteas opener reportedly advised all aspirant batsmen, if wishing to make the very most of their potential, to be prepared to play at least 400 deliveries a day.
According to the paper, he was backed up on the trip by Russell Symcox and Ryan Cook, respective sons of former SA national stars Pat Symcox and Jimmy Cook.
Kirsten still provides a set number of days a year as batting consultant to the Proteas, now coached by Russell Domingo.
*Rob Houwing has been visiting Dubai as a guest of Dubai Tourism
