A dependable grafter in Test cricket, Kirsten also has the ability to make runs quickly in one-day games.

Although he does not possess the flair of half-brother Peter, Kirsten knows his technique inside out and has been able to work himself out of any lean periods during his career.

Nobody has scored more runs for South Africa in ODIs than Kirsten, who has a highly impressive tally of 12 centuries in the shortened form of the game.

His consistency is shown by having almost identical batting averages in Tests and one-day internationals - both the right side of 40.

Once hit 188 not out off 159 balls against the United Arab Emirates in the 1995-6 World Cup in India.