Which camp will be happier with today’s play?
A definitive answer will be known by lunch tomorrow. From South Africa’s point of view, that the answer to the question isn’t obvious, is down to one man: Jacques Kallis.
Whilst a potential Jonathan Trott Newlands hundred may be the best story-waiting-to-happen, a Jacques Kallis one was the most inevitable. His 33rd Test century may end up being one of his most important. South Africa needed it.
The number of the day in the world of Test cricket, was 127. It was the total a Mohammad Asif-inspired Pakistan managed to skittle Australia for, to the nearly-but-not-quite-suppressed delight of Patrick Kidd over at Line and Length, and the South African score at a point in this match when England were doing really quite well. 127-3 became 127-5 in the space of two balls as Graeme Swann (who else?) brought his customary drama to proceedings.
At that point, in the 42nd over, it was England’s day, and only a few quick wickets from being their series. But from then on, Kallis set about evening out the equation. Some great batsmen always give the bowler reason to believe they’re in with a chance. Some great batsmen don’t, and Kallis is in the latter category. With his late bat movement, razor sharp feet positioning and a technique so straight it impresses even Boycott, Kallis is a bugger to get out.
He now averages 70.72 in Tests on his home ground, and at 34, his powers show scant sign of decline. In 2009 he averaged 48.36 in Test cricket, playing in a team that won only one of its six matches.
Does a man boasting over 10,000 runs and 250 wickets in Tests possess a weakness? The answer would be no, if only his personal website didn’t list Titanic as his favourite film.
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Nice one, Rich. I remember when Kallis got the nickname “Kalahari” – because there’s bugger all there!
Any comments on Jean-Paul Duminy? As a psychologist I have to wonder what it does to the lad’s confidence to have two golden ducks in consecutive innings.
Thanks Pete.
Yeah, poor old JP. After that blistering start to Test cricket he only has two fifties from ten innings in SA. Seems a similar situation to the one Bopara was in in the summer. Clearly has the talent for this level, but is struggling after early success (though in Bopara’s case his early success was in his second coming as a Test player). Tough call for selectors next match. Probably hinges on his second innings. Will say a lot for his mental toughness if he comes out of that with a decent score.