Kepler Wessels

Kepler Christoffel Wessels is a left handed batsman who represented several teams like South Africa, Australia, Griqualand West, Eastern Province, Orange Free State, Northern Transvaal, Sussex, Queensland and Western Province during his playing career from 1973 to 2000. He spent time as the coach of Chennai Super Kings in the IPL after his playing retirement.

He was born in South Africa but moved to Australia as a 21-year-old as part of World Series Cricket. He stayed in Australia to qualify for the national team, playing 24 Tests, but would later play 16 Tests for South Africa too.

Playing Career

Kepler Wessels played his first Test match for Australia against England at Brisbane (Brisbane Cricket Ground) from 26th November to 1st December 1982. In the 1st innings, he was the opening batsman and he faced 343 balls and accrued 162 runs with the assistance of 17 boundaries. In the 2nd innings, he scored 46 runs in 81 deliveries. He also took 1 catch in each innings. This match was won by Australia by 7 wickets.

Wessels debuted in ODIs on 9th January 1983 at Melbourne against New Zealand. He was the No. 1 batsman and he hit 79 runs in 118 deliveries including 10 boundaries. Australia won this match by 8 wickets with 20 deliveries to spare. He would retire from Australian international cricket in 1986, as he was "disillusioned" by it.

He went on to play for the 'new' South Africa after apartheid was removed, being part of their 1992 World Cup squad in Australia.

Career Highlights

Kepler Wessels is the first cricketer who has represented 2 countries in ODI cricket. He has taken part in 40 Test matches and in these has amassed 2788 runs at a batting average of 41 and batting strike rate of 46.35. He has smashed 3 sixers, 304 fours, 15 fifties and 6 centuries. He took 30 catches. 3367 runs were scored by him in 109 ODIs at a batting average of 34.35. He took 49 catches and hit 1 century and 26 half centuries.