Jacques Kallis to retire from Test cricket

[shravi]

A bit weird, really. he never seemed to get anywhere near the plaudits the other top players of his era did.

yet his record is second to none of them. I guess he wasn't very aesthetically pleasing and was very unromantic

True.

I also feel like being an all-rounder almost works against him in those discussions. By categorizing him as an all-rounder, it is stupidly forgotten that his batting record alone is almost unparalleled.

 

[ste_mc_efc]

I think he's a bit of a victim of his own success.

He scores so many runs batting his way that his talent is obvious, but then people say "why doesn't he attack more and dominate because he has the talent to?"

A bit like when a football manager gets his team unexpectedly promoted into the premier league, then is criticised for being 19th after 10 games of the next season.

 

[War]

Will be interesting to see how S Africa balance their test team in future, since it could be decisive in them maintaining their # 1 status.

IMO they need to resort to a 4 man pace attack & bring in De Kock as long term wicket-keeper.

None of their spinners are particularly special & it could be a tad risky to utilize them in a simple 4 man attack. But they have so many impressive fast bowlers in M De Lange, K Abbot, R McClaren, H Viljeon, C Morris, B Hendricks who can support the regular Steyn/Philander/Morkel pace trio.

I would tentatively advocate Hendricks be picked, since he is the only left-armer of this talented group - but the extra pace of De Lange or Viljeon would be tempting too.

Also De Villiers batting now becomes extra important now that Kallis is gone & relieving him keeping should be smart - especially with De Kock around.

Smith, Elgar, Amla, Du Plessis, De Villiers, De Kock, Duminy, Philander, Steyn, M Morkel, Hendricks.

 

[ste_mc_efc]

Ironically enough War a Craig White type could do a job in this SA team. the spinning version, of course. can easily summon 4 excellent pace bowlers, philander at 8, and a quality top 6. I guess that would need AB to keep the gloves though. probably too soon for de kock to bat top 6 and keep.

 

[StinkyBoHoon]

I think that team you posted is probably the best War, with hendricks swaping for a spinner when required. however I reckon they'll probably use that no.7 spot that duminy's been doing nothing with to bring in McLaren or Abbott.

 

[War]

I think that team you posted is probably the best War, with hendricks swaping for a spinner when required. however I reckon they'll probably use that no.7 spot that duminy's been doing nothing with to bring in McLaren or Abbott.

If they do that with the # 7 spot to maintain the 5-bowler strategy, it would have to be McClaren since he is the all-rounder - while Abbot is the bowler.

However @ ste_mc_efc - I am repeatedly told by my S Africa friends that they potentially have a guy who could fill the role of spin bowling all-rounder that you mention - Simon Harmer | Cricket Players and Officials | ESPN Cricinfo

He bats @ 7 for his Franchise time in all formats & according to those who have seen him bowl, his FC bowling has been better slightly than Tahir & Peterson in the last year.

In fact he is the second leading wicket-taking right now in the S Africa domestic season - Cricket Records | Records | Sunfoil Series, 2013/14 | Most wickets | ESPN Cricinfo

But given he is white & the fact that S Africa still practice a shadow quota policy in squad & team selection - his progress to the national team may not be that smooth.

This is highlighted by the curious fact that even with everyone realizing De Kock being the long-term keeper replacement (even if one feels he is not fully ready for test as yet) - journeyman black cricket Thami Tsolekile | South Africa Cricket | Cricket Players and Officials | ESPN Cricinfo who is not even among the top 3, keeper bats in S Africa - is in the test squad.

Thus why i say how the replace Kallis is going to be very interesting & could have a big influence on them maintaining # 1 test status in the coming years.

 

[stefan]

Will be interesting to see how S Africa balance their test team in future, since it could be decisive in them maintaining their # 1 status.

IMO they need to resort to a 4 man pace attack & bring in De Kock as long term wicket-keeper.

None of their spinners are particularly special & it could be a tad risky to utilize them in a simple 4 man attack. But they have so many impressive fast bowlers in M De Lange, K Abbot, R McClaren, H Viljeon, C Morris, B Hendricks who can support the regular Steyn/Philander/Morkel pace trio.

I would tentatively advocate Hendricks be picked, since he is the only left-armer of this talented group - but the extra pace of De Lange or Viljeon would be tempting too.

Also De Villiers batting now becomes extra important now that Kallis is gone & relieving him keeping should be smart - especially with De Kock around.

Smith, Elgar, Amla, Du Plessis, De Villiers, De Kock, Duminy, Philander, Steyn, M Morkel, Hendricks.

Would agree with that. JP does as good a job as the two spinners we have tried in non sub continetal conditions.

Lets hope the right teams are picked and that we don't see any thami...

 

[IceAgeComing]

Its a shame to lose the best all-rounder in modern cricket, and IMO the best batsman who has played recently. He deserved much more plaudits that he has historically got, and hopefully will get more in the future...

 

[zeustrojanstark]

200 catches for Kallis in tests. At this point of time both Dravid and Kallis have the same number of international catches(tests and odi).

Dravid got his 200th catch off an offie and Kallis too. In that game Steyn had 6 wickets in the match and now Steyn has 6 wickets in the innings.

Two gentlemen #Dravid and #Kallis .

#RESPECT

 

[harishankar]

Most of SA's dominance in Test cricket can be attributed to the presence of Kallis as a solid middle order batsman and a bowler who can pick 2 or 3 wickets in an Innings.

With him gone, I see SA really struggle to balance their side, especially when they tour overseas.

 

[scratch978]

There is always debate over the greatest batsman in the modern era- Lara, Tendulkar, Ponting etc.
But undoubtedly, Kallis is the greatest all-rounder of this era, probably of all eras. Respect not only from the Indian team but also from fans.

 

[War]

South Africa Cricket Features: 'You'd pick Jacques for another year or two' - Pollock | ESPN Cricinfo

Going forward, the key for the team is going to be balance. If you take Jacques out of this line-up, do you shift the batting order up and slide in someone like [Ryan] McLaren at No.7? Then you've got a bowling option plus some runs, and you've got [Robin] Peterson and [Vernon] Philander to contribute. We need to come up with a plan of how we can be successful without Jacques.

 

[Gash]

Jacques Kallis was a great all-rounder, probably the second best of all time; no doubt. I can't bring him ahead of Gary Sobers; the way Gary bowled, his ability to ball pace, skin and his batting skills was worth a watch.
Thankfully we'll still be seeing Kallis in ODI Kit.

 

[QuickSingle]

Kallis - what a true great

Shame there was barely anyone in the ground to honour the end of his test career