A useful fast-medium right-arm seamer and middle-order batsman, Justin Kemp was predicted by many to have a guaranteed international career ahead of him. He made his debut in the third and final Test against Sri Lanka in 2000-01, taking 5 for 54 in the match and winning selection for the subsequent tour of the Caribbean. A fortnight later, on his way to 188 in a domestic match, he smacked five sixes off one over, and the final ball fell two yards short of the man on the deep square-leg boundary. But in the West Indies he disappointed on the field and got in hot water when he admitted smoking marijuana.

He played eight fairly ordinary ODIs the following season when his star was on the wane and he remained out of the reckoning until England came to visit in 2004-05. Filling the Lance Klusener role to perfection, he lumped 80 from 50 balls in the series clincher in East London, but it was in the recent five-match series at home against New Zealand that Kemp began to look like the complete package. His crucial innings of 73 off 64 - complete with 3 sixes - and a 19-ball 30 to clinch the series in the third match did its part in establishing Kemp as one of the biggest and best hitters in the game, and he was duly Man of the Series after these performances. The current one-day tour of India will prove to be a test for Kemp, but if his showing in the first match at Hyderabad is anything to go by - his unbeaten 46 took South Africa to a clinical five-wicket win - Kemp is sure to remain indispensable, and capable of keeping the crowds on their feet with some rousing batting.

In February 2006, Kemp and fellow South African team-mate Andrew Hall returned to English county side Kent. After a successful few months, Kemp was released as South African authorities urged him to rest up ahead of a tour to Sri Lanka and the World Cup in 2007. With the tri-series in South Africa, also featuring India, aborted due to South Africa's withdrawal over security concerns, Kemp missed the chance to get some international cricket under his belt. A couple good innings in the Champions Trophy made way for Kemp's maiden ODI hundred, an awe-inspiring unbeaten 100 against India at Cape Town in late November. His World Cup campaign was a stop-start affair, as was the World Twenty20 and following the tournament he was dropped. With the youngsters performing well Kemp found his way back blocked and opted to take the popular Kolpak route into county cricket by signing a two-year deal with Kent.
Jamie Alter February 2008

South Africa Player of the Year 2007

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Nov 5, 2007 The RSA five players of the year © Cricinfo Ltd

Oct 23, 2007 Justin Kemp's 42 contained two sixes © Getty Images

Oct 20, 2007 Justin Kemp was out leg-before to Iftikhar Anjum © Getty Images

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