00:00In the first test at Cape Town in March 1998, Gary Christon once again displayed the hallmark
00:06of his batting, patience, technique and unwavering concentration.
00:11His composed knock of 62 runs, compiled over 136 deliveries and lasting 203 minutes, was
00:18a typical Gary Christon inning, steady, purposeful and invaluable to his side's cause.
00:24He delighted the crowd with strokes of rare elegance, a perfectly executed pull shot of
00:29Pushpa Kumara, showcased his command over the shot ball, while a flowing cover drive of
00:34Vikram Singh reminded all of his ability to pierce the field with precision.
00:40Perhaps the most memorable was the straight drive, against Chaminda was a stroke that carried
00:45the grace of textbook batting.
00:47Gary Christon's contribution helped South Africa amass a formidable total of 418 in their
00:53first innings, laying a strong foundation for victory.
00:56In the end, the protease triumphed by 70 runs, with Gary Christon innings standing as one
01:01of the understated yet crucial pillars of the win.
01:04Perfect on that occasion.
01:07Pushpa Kumara, from the Weinberg end to Gary Christon, short and Gary Christon pulls well,
01:15and that will be four runs.
01:22Gary Christon into position quickly, hitting the ball well in front of Square, as soon as
01:33it can come his way.
01:40Through the covers, four runs.
01:42They're promising over, pitching and Gary Christon taking full advantage there.
01:51That's a brilliant shot.
01:54Gary Christon went right across, into the ball, leaned into it, placed it in between the covers.
02:03We all know.
02:05Driven down the ground.
02:06Good shot from Christon.
02:07That should go the whole way.
02:11He just does.
02:16Gary Christon hitting his third boundary.
02:18Very convincing fashion.
02:21Presenting the full face of the bat.
02:23Always a good sign.
02:25When Gary hits it straight.
02:27Earlier on today.
02:28He's now just become the sixth South African to reach.
02:31Cliving in front of first slip.
02:33Good delivery.
02:37Pulled away by Christon and probably well enough for four.
02:42Yes.
02:47Poor delivery.
02:48And the Vaz dropping it short.
02:50Gary Christon into position very quickly.
02:55Pulls it around just behind Square.
02:58This is very fine and it might well run away down to the boundary for four.
03:06It does.
03:07Just got enough bat on that.
03:12Gary Christon's fifth boundary.
03:15So a fast start after lunch.
03:18All the runs coming off Muir Olytherin.
03:20Just pushing it down the leg side and by virtue of the fact that it was so wide down the leg side,
03:26he gets it very fine.
03:27I don't think he necessarily intends.
03:28Bell, they start sparring.
03:30I'm amazed that he didn't inst...
03:32Down the wicket.
03:33That's a good shot.
03:34Used his feet nicely.
03:35He made it into a full pitch.
03:39Gary Christon.
03:41Just moving past Trevor Goddard and Eni Barlow in the run scoring stacks.
03:46Eni Barlow up to 2,516 runs in 30 test matches.
03:52And Trevor Goddard achieved the same total in 41.
03:56And Gary Christon has now become the fourth highest run scorer for South Africa.
04:05That's a good shot.
04:06That's four and that's 50.
04:07And that's 50.
04:08Push back to Mara on that occasion giving him room.
04:20There's that square drive of the front foot quite magnificently.
04:24Now he uses his feet nicely.
04:25Four runs.
04:26Well he played a lovely on drive in the last over but hit it straight to the mid on.
04:39This time a little bit straighter as once again he was down the wicket and to the pitch.
04:45And that's four more good runs.
04:46He is picking up all the flighted ball nicely and he comes down the wicket and meet it on
04:51a full toss.
04:52Places well between the bowler and mid on for four.
04:56And it's out in fact.
04:57Inside edge but unfortunately missed the bat and hit him on the back foot close to the
05:12stump and the umpire didn't hesitate to give him out.
05:15Gone for 62, 1.55 for three.
05:21Gary Christen, the gritty left-handed opener from South Africa, was renowned for his immense
05:27patience, technical soundness and ability to grind out long innings under testing conditions.
05:33Never flamboyant but always dependable, Gary Christen built his reputation as a best man
05:39who valued his wicket dearly and anchored the South African batting order for more than
05:44a decade.
05:45His calm demeanor coupled with a steely determination made him one of the most respected figures
05:51in world cricket, both as a player and later as a successful coach.
05:56His disciplined stroke play highlighted by a few excuses drives and a masterful pull shot
06:02epitomized the qualities that defined his career.
06:05His innings not only studied the produce but also played a decisive role in setting up a
06:10memorable 70-runs victory over Sri Lanka, a classic example of Gary Christen quiet yet
06:16telling impact on the game.
06:18If you liked this video, please comment, share and subscribe.
06:21Thank you very much.
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