His name may sound South African, but Kyle Coetzer was in fact born in Aberdeen, Scotland. Coetzer has been part of Scotland's set-up since he played in the European Under-15 Championship in 1999, but since signing for Durham in 2005 has split his loyalties between county and country.

Starting the summer by hitting his maiden first-class hundred, 153 not out from just 150 balls against Durham UCCE, Coetzer enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2007, playing a key role in Durham's success. He finished the season with an average of 38 as Durham finished second in the County Championship, while he also struck a 74-ball 61 against Hampshire at Lord's as Durham secured their first ever silverware in the Friends Provident Trophy. This form was enough to earn him a call-up for the senior Scotland side to face Pakistan, but he withdrew from the squad in order to continue playing for Durham.

He spent much of 2008 languishing in Durham's second XI, but did find time to represent Scotland at the ICC World Twenty20 qualifiers and made his one-day international debut against England at Edinburgh. Coetzer didn't do his talent justice, making a six-ball duck, and the match was eventually rained off. He was part of Scotland's squad during their unsuccessful campaign at the World Cup Qualifiers in South Africa in April 2009, and also played for them at the World Twenty20 later that year. Coetzer was Scotland's leading runscorer at the event, with 75 runs at 37.50 but could do nothing to stop two heavy defeats to New Zealand and South Africa.

Coetzer is yet to secure a full season of first XI cricket with Durham but remains an important figure for Scotland, for whom he also plays in the Intercontinental Cup.
Liam Brickhill May 2011