Jacques Kallis: Profile

The broad shouldered figure in South African cricket team creates calm in some and dread in others. Described as the greatest cricketer to play the game by the senior protagonist, Jacques Henry Kallis a Right-handed batsman and fast-medium swing bowler is one of the best all-rounders the game has ever witnessed. His fielding is also next to perfection, his viper like reflexes in slip makes difficult catches look regulation. His achievements are many and he has been awarded the ICC Test Player of the Year 2005, ICC Player of the Year 2005 and Wisden Leading cricketer of the Year 2007.

The South African maestro made his test debut in the year 1995 but was sluggish initially. He later portrayed himself as one of the toughest both mentally and physically and started waving his magic. He caught the eyes of everyone with his famous Boxing Day innings at Melbourne against Australia where he made a 101 on a worn last day pitch. He created another landmark event at 2003/04 season by making a century in five consecutive test matches. In 2007 he again made an achievement by, making 5 centuries in 4 test matches. Jacques Kallis has also grabbed many 5 wickets and 4 wickets in both test and one day international. His role as a bowler diminishes with each passing season; he will be remembered as a purveyor of sometimes surprising pace and swing, and awkward bounce.

He has been often criticized for not dominating attacks and for unnecessarily slow scoring. He was later dropped from T20 Squad for world cup. But he proved his mettle again after he was recalled to the team for the Pakistan tour in 2007. His last season’s performance in IPL for Royal Challengers must have stunned all the critics.

His greatness can’t be questioned as he is a committed player who puts his team first and his personal ambitions some way behind.

Astonishing Facts:

· He is the only cricketer in the history of the game to hold more than 10,000 runs and 250 wickets in both one day and Test match cricket.

· Kallis is one of only four players in Test history to make a century in five consecutive matches.

· Kallis is one of only four players in Test history to score 5 centuries in 4 Tests.

· He set the record for the fastest half-century, as measured by balls faced, in Test cricket history, scoring 50 against Zimbabwe off only 24 balls.

· Kallis currently holds a number of South African cricket records, including most ODI and Test runs, highest ODI and second highest Test batting average and most Test centuries by a South African.