He has taken nine wickets, notably nabbing Virender Sehwag of India and Matthew Hayden of Australia.

Finally, he dismissed Mark Boucher (caught by Alec Stewart) for 52, as the South Africans crumbled for 131.

He chipped in with twelve over two innings with the bat, and took 5–145 with the ball, although The Proteas ran out winners by 191 runs.

Ashley Giles took two wickets at the cost of 190 runs and Gareth Batty conceded 137 with no reward, making Kirtley's return of 2-131 look distinctly presentable.

Despite this batting failure by the team, Kirtley hit 12, his best ever score in a Test, off 25 deliveries, including a six, before being bowled by Muttiah Muralitharan.

Kirtley was a surprising selection in the England squad for the 2007 World Twenty20 in South Africa, he was named alongside other specialists Darren Maddy, leg spinner Chris Schofield and veteran off spinner and former spin coach Jeremy Snape.

In the 2006 C&G Trophy final, Kirtley bowled Sussex to a seemingly improbable victory with match figures of 5-27.

On taking the final, winning wicket, Kirtley was mobbed in celebration on the pitch by his teammates.