There can be only one Zulu

For,if you happen to be in Durban on Christmas Day,then you will not find a better host than Lance Klusener.

The smell of the thick,rich barbecue can be sniffed by a blocked nose from around the bend,arising as steamy smoke from beyond the brick walls of the chefs palatial lawns. For,if you happen to be in Durban on Christmas Day,then you will not find a better host than Lance Klusener.

Forking the delicious meat with a knife,chef Klusener his latest disguise,complete with the toque on his head and apron around his waist wrinkles his eyes nervously,just like he would fidget in the death overs with a bat in his hands. With a gentle huff,he stokes the fire,before pinching a taste for personal satisfaction.

The knotted crease lines loosen,before the ever-familiar boyish grin splatters across his dimpled face. Only this time,instead of being carried away on the shoulders of his team mates,friends and family dig into the overwhelming feast. Merry Christmas, he wishes to one and all,raising a toast. To a wonderful life, he adds.

And a wonderful life its been for Klusener. Although its been six years since he played the last of his 49 Tests and 171 ODIs,Zulu still remains one of the most revered cricketers in South Africa,despite his ever-changing avatars. Whether it is his current job as Dolphins Durbans local franchise bowling consultant,or his heroic battle in the 1999 World Cup,Klusener is loved by the masses here with a passion reserved for a blood-relation.

It was crazy while it lasted. But Im just so glad its all over. The fact that I can throw a barbecue party on Christmas Day and not be worrying about a Test match in some lousy hotel room is what one retires for. I sleep on the couch when I want to,dig into fish and chips on lazy summer afternoons and sleep on my own bed. To cut a long story short,life after retirement has been fantastic, Klusener says.

But,despite his much-treasured time with friends and family,the love for cricket has refused to die in Klusener. He became one of the first signings in the rebel ICL for Kolkata Tigers a land where he made his Test debut 14 years back.

My debut remains one of my fondest memories in cricket. I had a bit of a famous battle with Azhar during my 8/64. But talking of fond memories,nothing can better the World Cup in England. He doesnt speak more of it,but a single in the semis wouldve of course made it even better.

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The quest to unearth the next Klusener is high in South Africa,with the local media anointing various prospects in franchise teams. But Klusener hushes the talk by saying: There can be only one Zulu. The modern game has changed dramatically since I played and I hope the next one is better than me.

There can indeed be only one Zulu. For,if there is another on the Durban horizon or anywhere else,he will have too many boots to fill the tragic hero,the fast bowler who cut the ball like a spinner,the demolition man with a knack of creaming the ball,and of course,the barbecue chef.