Jacques Kallis to quit Tests after India series
South Africa's workhorse and one of the best all-rounders to have
graced the game, has decided to call it quits from Tests after the
ongoing series against India. The Boxing Day Test at Durban will be his
last for South Africa.
The
broad shouldered, mentally strong Kallis has been one of the most
crucial figures in South Africa's rise in Test cricket over the last few
years. He has played alongside some of the former greats like Allan
Donald, Gary Kirsten and S2haun Pollock to name a few.
With runs
in excess of 13,000 and close to 300 wickets, Kallis has been one of the
most influential characters in the longest format of the game, with
credentials solid enough to find him a place in any world-class side.
According to the Cricket South Africa
press release, Kallis spoke about his decision and said, "It's been an honour and a privilege to have been part of the
South African
Test team since making my debut 18 years ago. I have enjoyed every
moment out in the middle but I just feel that the time is right to hang
up my Test whites.
"It wasn't an easy decision to come to,
especially with Australia around the corner and the success this team is
enjoying, but I feel that I have made my contribution in this format."
Kallis, who made his international debut at the age of 20 in 1995,
will finish with 166 Tests to his name. Talking about South Africa's
ascent in the last couple of years, Kallis said, "The last two years
specifically have been a memorable journey with an exceptional group of
cricketers. I am fortunate enough to have ended my Test career amongst a
group of talented cricketers but more importantly, friends whom I will
cherish for years to come."
Fans all over the world will be deeply saddened by the news but Kallis assured that this wasn't the end of his playing days.
"I don't see it as goodbye because I still have a lot of hunger to
push South Africa to that World Cup in 2015 if I am fit and performing."
One can also not rule out the high level of hunger for success that
has often been associated with the veteran as he said, "Winning an IPL
title with the Kolkata Knight Riders was a special achievement, and I am
still determined to taste that success with South Africa at an ICC
event."
South African coach Russell Domingo shared his view on Kallis' big
decision and said that the team will miss the big South African's impact
and said that it will be tough to find another player of his stature.
"The impact Jacques has made on South African cricket has been
immense, not just as a player but as a human being. I am not sure we
will ever see another player of that stature very soon. "
Talking about Kallis' traits that will be badly missed in the
dressing room, Domingo said," Jacques calmness, maturity and presence
in the change room will sorely be missed and hopefully he will still be
able to play a role in this team's success in the near future.
Domingo was also optimistic of seeing Kallis in prime form in coloured kit for the World Cup 2015.
"He has ambitions of playing in the 2015 World Cup and it will be
important for us to manage him accordingly so that he is in prime form
leading into the tournament," he said.
Kallis is currently placed fourth in the list of cricketers with most runs in Test cricket, behind
Sachin Tendulkar,
Ricky Ponting
and Rahul Dravid. The Durban Test will give him an opportunity to usurp
the last two of the three names and go second behind Tendulkar. He
needs 115 runs to go past Dravid and 205 to go past Ponting. Kallis also
has 292 wickets and 199 catches to his name.
Gautam
Gambhir and Virender Sehwag couldn't stand up and be counted when it
mattered the most as Punjab recorded one of the most inspiring victories
in recent times beating Delhi by 98 runs in a Ranji Trophy group league
game to keep their quarterfinal hopes alive.
