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Gerald Coetzee is a South African cricketer. He is known for his fast bowling and energy in the field while playing. He is the highest wicket-taker of South Africa in a single edition of the ODI World Cup.
Wiki/Biography
Gerald William Coetzee was born on Monday, 2 October 2000 (age 23 years; as of 2024) in Bloemfontein, Free State province, South Africa. His zodiac sign is Libra.
He used to play different sports with his brother in his backyard such as rugby, tennis, and cricket. He later got interested in cricket and started playing cricket at the age of 7 years as he played for the Under-9 F team in a KFC mini-cricket match.
He did his initial schooling at Grey College Primary School, Bloemfontein and later did his matriculation (equivalent to 12th standard) at Saint Andrew’s School, Bloemfontein where he also trained in cricket under Gregg Hobson.
He has also trained under Dillon du Preez and Allan Donald. Gerald was inspired to play cricket upon seeing Dale Steyn and became a professional cricketer.
Physical Appearance
Height: 6′ 3″
Weight (approx.): 75 kg
Hair Colour: Hazel
Eye Colour: Black
Body Measurements (approx.): Chest 42″, Waist 32″, Biceps 13″
Family
Parents & Siblings
His father’s name is Johan Coetzee, and his mother’s name is Liz Coetzee; they got married on 2 September 1995.
He has an elder brother named Petrus Coetzee.
Wife & Children
He got married to Hannah Hathorn, an optometrist, on 29 November 2023 at Elandskloof Farm Cottages, Greyton, Helderstroom, South Africa. The couple does not have any children.
Relationships/Affairs
He dated Hannah Hathorn for a few years.
Religion/Religious Views
He follows Christianity and often attends the meetings of the Kopanong Student Ministry in Bloemfontein, South Africa.
Career
Domestic
He played for Free State Under-13 from 2012-13 to 2013-14 season, Free State Under-15 from 2014-15 to 2015-16 season, and Free State Under-19 from 2016-17 to 2017-18 season. On 14 October 2018, he made his List A debut for Free State in the 2018–19 CSA Provincial One-Day Challenge.
He made his Twenty20 debut for Knights (also known as ITEC Knights) in the 2018–19 CSA T20 Challenge on 12 April 2019. On 7 October 2019, he made his first-class debut for Knights in the 2019–20 CSA 4-Day Franchise Series and took a 5-wicket haul.
He played for the South African Colts XI in the 2016-17 season, the South Africa Under-19s Invitation XI in 2017, and South African Schools in 2018-19 which he also captained. He played for the Kingfishers team during the 3TC Solidarity Cup in 2020. He was named in the Northern Titans squad for the 2023-24 domestic season.
International
South Africa Under-19
He was first selected for the South Africa Under-19 team in 2017 at the age of 16 years and played for them in the 2018 Under-19 World Cup. He scored 70 runs and took 8 wickets in the tournament. He also played in the 2020 Under-19 World Cup.
South Africa A
He was first selected for South Africa A in 2021. In a four-day match against Sri Lanka A in 2023, he came to batting when South Africa A was at a score of 42 runs for 7 wickets and scored 77 runs off 89 balls.
Test
He made his test debut on 28 February 2023 against West Indies at SuperSport Park Cricket Stadium in Centurion, South Africa.
ODI
He played his first ODI match on 18 March 2023 at Buffalo Park, East London, South Africa and took 3 wickets for 57 runs.
ODI World Cup
He played 8 matches in the 2023 ODI World Cup held in India and finished the tournament as the highest wicket-taker for South Africa in a single edition of the ODI World Cup with 20 wickets at an economy rate of 6.24 with the best performance of 4 wickets for 44 runs against Afghanistan; his average was 19.80 and strike rate was 19.05.
T20I
He played his debut T20I match on 30 August 2023 against Australia at Kingsmead Cricket Ground, Durban, South Africa and took 1 wicket for 40 runs.
Leagues
Mzansi Super League (MSL)
In the second edition of the Mzansi Super League (MSL) in 2019, he played for Jozi Stars after being spotted by batting coach Justin Sammons and Rassie van der Dussen in a domestic match.
Indian Premier League (IPL)
In May 2021, Rajasthan Royals (RR) signed him up as a replacement for Liam Livingstone who got injured midway through the season.
In the 2023 auction for the 2024 IPL season, he was acquired by Mumbai Indians (MI) for Rs 5 crore (approx R11.1 million) against the base price of Rs 2 crore.
🚨 𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗦𝗧 𝗣𝗨𝗥𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗔𝗟𝗘𝗥𝗧 🚨
1️⃣ 𝕋𝕚𝕜𝕙𝕒𝕥𝕥, 𝑭𝑰𝑬𝑹𝒀, 𝗛𝗢𝗧 𝑮𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒅 𝑪𝒐𝒆𝒕𝒛𝒆𝒆 Mirch: ᴅᴇʟɪᴠᴇʀᴇᴅ! 📦🔥
#OneFamily #MumbaiIndians #IPLAuction @GeraldCoetzee62 https://t.co/AnohpuqTxy pic.twitter.com/SXCCXXygvv
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) December 19, 2023
SA20 League
He played for Joburg Super Kings in the inaugural edition of the SA20 Tournament in 2023 and finished the tournament as the second-highest wicket-taker with 17 wickets in 9 matches at an average of 13.53.
Major League Cricket (MLC)
Gerald Coetzee represented the Texas Super Kings in the first MLC season in 2023, held in the USA.
Jersey Number
He wears jersey number 62 for South Africa in international tournaments and for Texas Super Kings in Major League Cricket (MLC) tournament as a tribute to his father, who was born in 1962 and played a huge role in shaping Gerald’s career.
Awards, Honours
- Honoured by Saint Andrew’s School, Bloemfontein in 2018 for his achievements in cricket
- Under-19 Player of the Year and Senior Provincial Rookie of the Year Awards at the 2018-19 Annual Free State Cricket Awards
- Young Player of the Year Award (of Knights) in 2021
- International Men’s Newcomer of the Year Award by Cricket South Africa (CSA) in 2023
Salary/Income
He was acquired by Mumbai Indians for Rs 5 crores (approx. R11.1 million) for the 2024 IPL season.
Favourites
- Athlete(s): Rafael Nadal, Mat Fraser
- Film: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)
- Sports (other than cricket): Baseball, American football (Rugby)
Facts/Trivia
- His batting style is right-handed, and his bowling style is right-arm fast. He plays as a bowling allrounder and mostly bats at number 8 position in the lower order.
- His athletic and lanky physique is credited as one of the reasons behind his ability to bowl fast. He has been given the nickname ‘The Karate Kid’ as he also wears a black headband while playing or bowling. In an interview, he revealed the reason behind wearing a headband and said that he sweats a lot while playing which his headband keeps away from his eyes and his face. He also kept a mullet hairstyle which he cut a few months before the 2023 ODI World Cup.
- He is a dog lover and has two pet dogs.
- Gerald Coetzee said in an interview that had he not been playing cricket, he would have been a baseball player.
- He often trains in the gym to maintain his fitness, especially when he is recovering from injuries. His personal trainer’s name is Herman Liebenberg.
- Gerald Coetzee often goes on outdoor adventure activities such as hiking, trekking and camping whenever he gets time.
- His bowling speeds have often been recorded at more than 145 kph (90 mph). His fastest delivery during the 2023 ODI World Cup was a yorker delivery clocked at 149.9 kph.
- He is a supporter and fan of Orlando Pirates Football Club.
- As of January 2024, he is signed up with Revolve Talent Management Agency.