Name: Gerald Coetzee
Gerald Coetzee is a South African cricketer. In December 2017, he was named in South Africa's squad for the 2018 Under-19 Cricket World Cup. In January 2019, he was named in the South Africa national under-19 cricket team's squad, ahead of their tour to India. He is well known for his passionate, aggressive celebrations after taking wickets and has often drawn comparisons to his body language being similar to that of former South African pacer Dale Steyn.
Coetzee made his List A debut for Free State in the 2018–19 CSA Provincial One-Day Challenge on 14 October 2018. He made his Twenty20 debut for Knights in the 2018–19 CSA T20 Challenge on 12 April 2019. He made his first-class debut for Knights in the 2019–20 CSA 4-Day Franchise Series on 7 October 2019. In December 2019, he was named in South Africa's squad for the 2020 Under-19 Cricket World Cup. In April 2021, he was named in Free State's squad, ahead of the 2021–22 cricket season in South Africa. On 1 May 2021, he was signed by the Rajasthan Royals as a replacement for Liam Livingstone, during the 2021 Indian Premier League (IPL). For the 2024 IPL, Gerald Coetzee was picked up by Mumbai Indians for ₹5 crores. In June 2023, Coetzee was added to the Texas Super Kings roster for the inaugural season of Major League Cricket.
In June 2022, Coetzee was named in South Africa's Twenty20 International (T20I) squad for their tour of England to play the England and Ireland cricket teams. In February 2023, he was selected in South Africa Test squad for the series against West Indies. He made his Test debut against West Indies on 28 February 2023. In March 2023, he was named in South Africa's One Day International (ODI) squad for their series against West Indies. He made his ODI debut in the second ODI of the series on 18 March 2023 in East London, when he took three wickets.
In September 2023, he was named in South Africa's squad for the 2023 Cricket World Cup and it marked his maiden World Cup tournament at the age of 23. He broke into the South African side as one of the key pacers for the 2023 World Cup following the injury concerns to senior fast bowlers Anrich Nortje and Sisanda Magala. He became a vital cog in South Africa's pace battery during the course of the World Cup by being South Africa's second or third change bowler and became a canny operator in the middle overs by capturing over 10 wickets in between 11th and 40th over. He ended the tournament as the leading wicket taker for South Africa with 20 scalps in 8 matches. He also became the leading wicket-taker for South Africa in a single edition of the World Cup when he took his record 18th scalp in group stage match against Afghanistan. He was called by many as one of the breakout stars of 2023 Cricket World Cup following his impressive performances.
