Ken Funston

Ken Funston was multi-talented – not only was he good at cricket but also did extremely well in soccer and hockey. Eventually, it was as a cricketer that he earned his name. He represented South Africa in only 18 Tests though with moderate numbers that fizzed off after a great start. Funston started impressively with three half-centuries in his first six Test innings but the consistency that was expected from thereon never really happened. That he only got another two fifties in his entire career is a case in point. Nevertheless, he did have some valuable contributions in the middle order, mostly batting at
number four in the order. In first-class cricket, he was a far better contributor, even having five tons to his name. His style of play meant that he wasn’t always reliable – he was ultra-aggressive and believed in taking the bowling on, thereby transferring the pressure right back to the fielding side. This worked well in FC cricket but in Tests, cost him quite a bit. Funston was a handy bowler, a part-timer who wasn’t always used and his fielding, particularly in the outfield was enthralling. After his retirement, he worked as an administrator in the sport at Western Province.

By Hariprasad Sadanandan