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Jacques-Kallis
Cape Town day one: honours even?
By Rich Abbott 2 months ago, 2 Comments »
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.
2 Comments »Kallis moobs
By Will last year, at the end of December, No Comments; be the first!
Moobs
The noughties: looking back
By Rich Abbott last year, mid-November, 4 Comments »
If, back in late 1999, you’d taken a break from worrying about the millennium bug (what was that about?) and wondered instead what the next decade had in store for world cricket, you’d have been hard pushed to predict the current landscape of the sport.
Now, as the noughties – a term given a certain appropriateness by messers Warne, Symonds and Stanford – draw to a close, they come under assessment from the cricket writers.
Rob Steen has reviewed the decade in general over on Cricinfo, and uncovers good news for the Test match format, while Andy Bull, at the Guardian, has been kept awake at night wondering who the player of the decade has been. Incidentally, Kevin Pietersen weighed into that debate in an interview published today in The Times, naming Jacques Kallis the player of this, and indeed any other, decade!
As for the best game of the past ten years, we’re blessed with choice. Sky Sports showcased one candidate yesterday, by showing a re-run of the unbelievable South African run-chase against Australia at the Wanderers in 2006. In a way, that match defined the decade: pyjama-clad, high-octane, T20-style hitting, but that didn’t stop it reducing a number of seasoned cricket watching locals to tears. In a good way.
4 Comments »Just a few more moments
By Mark Tilley last year, mid-March, 2 Comments »
One moment towards the end of the second day of the South Africa vs Australia that raised a chuckle. Jacques Kallis, on 99 not out, tried to work a ball into the on side for a single to take him to a deserved hundred. He inside edged the ball onto his pads, watched it run away safely and then scampered through for the run and raised his bat to the adoring crowd.
The fans applauded and batting partner AB de Villiers warmly congratulated the elder statesmen. However, the general feel-good atmosphere was suddenly ruined when umpire Asad Rauf abruptly signalled the run as a leg-bye! It shocked pretty much everyone watching and even Sky Sports had to stop their flashy, ‘Kallis-hundred’ graphic. It all seemed like a bit of a joke but it got even funnier seconds later.
Rauf then checked with the third umpire, who informed him that it should have, in fact been given as a Kallis run. Rauf then reversed the decision yet again and Kallis, having had to sheepishly put his helmet back on, was finally through to his first Test hundred in almost a year.
Ricky Ponting was moved to question the decision briefly with the umpire, wondering why the third umpire was consulted on a matter as trivial as the difference between a run and a leg bye. Still, it must have brought a wry smile to some of the Australians in a day that saw their bowlers get marmalised all over the park by a rampant South African batting line-up.
I wonder if even Bryce McGain was moved to have a little giggle, having spent the day seeing his first 11 overs in Test cricket disappear for 106 runs?
2 Comments »Flintoff. Bloody Flintoff
By Will 2 years ago, at the end of July, 4 Comments »
What an extraordinary day. England spent the most part of it staring listlessly at their feet, bowling wide and looking every inch the beaten team. With Jacques Kallis beginning to look in ominous touch, it seemed only a matter of time before South Africa would take the lead and build and build.
Andrew bloody Flintoff. What a cricketer, what a figure. His late burst contained some of the most thrilling bowling I’ve seen since, well, Flintoff last played for England 18 months ago. And his two overs to Kallis will never be forgotten; almost as good and penetrating as his over to Ricky Ponting, though that particular one is unlikely to be beaten (from an England perspective).
What made it all the more special was how settled Kallis was. He was in control and playing beautifully, yet was made to look foolish, scared and edgy against Flintoff. For someone renowned for his calm, unflappable temperament at the crease, he was sucking in air desperately trying to regain composure while Flintoff roared in. It’s not just his technical ability with the ball, nor his pace or aggression: it’s the figure, the man behind the ball, which makes Flintoff such an awesome prospect. He is absolutely massive, built like a boxer yet runs in like an athlete, yet somehow is unerringly accurate. I would love to know what the great batsmen of yesteryear – Boycott, Richards, Chappell, Imran, Gooch, Richards, Haynes – think of him and whether they would relish or fear facing Flintoff.
It was the magical inspiration England needed, but before his intervention England were truly shite. Horrific and abject are not too far off the mark, and at times embarassing. If Flintoff can inspire them to take early wickets in the morning, they might yet be spared their blushes.
4 Comments »Mark Gillespie the flanker
By Will 3 years ago, mid-November, 1 Comment »
Mark Gillespie, the New Zealand fast bowler, made his debut yesterday and had his first bowl today. He did pretty well, too, until Jacques Kallis went berserk (what a knock that was). Much quicker than he appears – and he is built like an All Black. Massive bloke who wouldn’t look out of place with a No.8 on his back No.6 or No.7 on his back.
We’re seeing a new, brilliant side to Kallis. I’ve never been his biggest fan but the last two innings (186 at Johannesburg, 131 today at Centurion) have been dazzling. Today was the Kallis of 10 years ago; technically perfect but flamboyant and cavalier. The bowling was embarrassingly meagre, but 12 months ago I doubt Kallis would have attacked with such verve. A top knock.
1 Comment »Pakistan struggling against the odds, and Mark Boucher’s record
By Scott 3 years ago, at the start of October, 1 Comment »
Pakistan have their work cut out to get something out of the First Test against South Africa. The Proteas scored 450, on the back of a big hundred by Jacques Kallis, who certainly would have had a point to prove to the selectors who left him out of the Twenty20 team. Then the rather unlikely sight of a South African spinner on top, Paul Harris taking 5 for 73. That left Pakistan all out for 291, and it could have been even less if it wasn’t for some stout lower order batting. Now South Africa in their second dig are 76 for 3, and the lead is already beyond 200. (scorecard)
The other notable feat of the Test is that South Africa’s keeper, Mark Boucher, has passed Ian Healy’s record for the most dismissals in Tests. He’s a worthy holder of the record, a fine gloveman who has mastered his craft. The one disappointment in his career would have to be that South Africa have not really produced a spin bowler worthy of his talents. On the rare occasion that I’ve seen him up to the stumps, he’s certainly looked the goods though and it is notable that in Pakistan’s innings he did get two stumpings. There’s nothing wrong with his abilities at what is the ultimate test of a keeper’s skills. (stats)
1 Comment »South Africa smash and grab
By Mike 3 years ago, mid-April, 3 Comments »
Three days ago they were pedestrian, and that’s a compliment. Today South Africa were devastating, inflicting a forth successive loss and certain elimination to hosts West Indies (there’s actually still a mathematical chance). The sudden turnaround is sure to renew the hopes of the Proteas while West Indies’ imminent exit will surely empty a couple more seats for the remaining games. I’m suspicious that many weren’t watching anyway.
AB de Villiers smashed his maiden one-day century leaving the field with cramps, dehydration, heat exhaustion and some fond memories. Boucher bashed the third fastest fifty (at least this one came against respectable..er opposition) in World Cup history and Gibbs recovered from his calf strain to bash another fifty of his own. Even Kallis looked like a one-day player.
Thoughts? I’m not going to bed anytime soon. It’s still daylight here.
Scorecard here and Bulletin here.
3 Comments »UPDATE South Africa v Australia, 5th ODI, Johannesburg
By Will 4 years ago, mid-March, 36 Comments »
About an hour ago, me and my colleage were screaming at the TV while watching South Africa attempt to reach 435. The commentators – Tony Greig and a South African, Barry Richards I think – were getting far too excited and claiming the hosts were going for the win. What tosh.
I’m slowly reaching for my hat which I might have to start eating, as we’re witnessing something rather extraordinary.
Oh bugger, the curse of the blogger. Graeme Smith is out (90 off 55!) and Mike Hussey’s celebration after taking the catch in the deep perhaps said it all: Australia are relieved. I think they felt the game was slipping away from them…
What an incredible day’s cricket it’s been
Update
Gibbs reaches incredible hundred. Nathan Bracken DROPS HIM at mid-off! What the hell is going on? South Africa 247 for 2, needing 188 from 23 overs
14.34 GMT
Gibbs 150 from 100 balls. 164 needed from 21. Rate under 8 for the first time. Pictures I’m upping are here
14.48
Gibbs falls for 175 from 111. De Villiers also out. Kallis and Boucher now in. 136 from 18.1 overs.
15.48
30 from 18 needed, ANOTHER FOUR, Boucher’s doing it for South Africa. And Mick Lewis brings up his hundred too!
15.51
It’s gotta be SA now. 17 from 13
15.52
Four from Roger Telemarketing! (Telemachus) 13 from 12! Mick Lewis has the most expensive bowling stats, ever.
15.53
Telemachus caught, brilliantly, by Hussey, diving forward at mid-off! 12 from 10 with two wickets remaining. Bloody hell. Andrew Hall gets a standing ovation for walking onto the ground.
15.58
7 from 6
16.00
Lee struck on foot, saved four, ouch. 6 from 5
16.02
Hall smashes Lee through midwicket for FOUR! Brilliant shot.
16.04
Hall caught! OUT GONE! 2 from 3 needed, ONE WICKET LEFT
16.05
Ntini screams, gets a single, South Africa cannot lose. 1 from 2. Australia cannot, obviously, win it. This is bloody incredible
16.06
Boucher wins it with a slog over mid-on to record the best one-day victory ever. In the greatest one-day match, probably. Speechless.
36 Comments »Volkswagon? He’s fallen off some wagon…
By Scott 4 years ago, at the start of February, 5 Comments »
Cricinfo profile Johan van der Wath. He’s a useful talent, although not a real menace. With Ntini and Kallis out of the picture, he does a job for his team.
But man, I’ve never seen such an ill-looking cricketer. He looks like he’s got a full-time hangover. Hell, even I don’t look like that all the time. Just on weekends!
5 Comments »Test Cricket today. Hurray!
By Scott 5 years ago, mid-December, 6 Comments »
Tests are the best!
Australia take on South Africa in the First Test at Perth. South African captain Graeme Smith is ‘braced for bullies‘ and given that his side lost to a weak West Australian state side by an innings, the Australian urge to kick sand in South African faces is strong.
A personal confession, here. I loathe South African cricket, which has done nothing but bombastic boasting, boring and unadventurous captains and hilarious World Cup chokes since they were re-admitted in 1992. The last two times Australia toured the place, we heard a great deal in the South African press about how they were going to stuff us, and Australia responded by crushing them by an innings in the First Test. I suppose I owe it to my readers that I can’t be entirely objective about South Africans, and should bear that in mind when they read my stuff.
South Africans must be pretty anxious about the crowd because Andre Nel says that they aren’t worried about being abused by the crowds. If you weren’t worried about it, why would you talk about it? It is not like South African crowds are prim and proper-Johannesburg is not known as ‘the Bullring’ for nothing.
Australia have included Nathan Bracken in the lineup, instead of Stuart MacGill, and South Africa are likely to be missing Jacques Kallis. He is one of the few South Africans with a proven record against Australia so they will miss him.
Australia have never lost a series to South Africa since readmission, and have not lost a series at home since 1992-93. I do not think South Africa have the bowling attack to change those facts. Also, Smith does not strike me as the sort of cool figure that can lead his side to an upset victory. But it’s Test cricket so hurray!
6 Comments »Kallis goes to 100. But what are SA’s tactics?
By Will 5 years ago, at the start of January, 1 Comment »
This really is becoming a stalemate. England are bowling on a pitch flatter than an ironing board and have been forced to use defensive tactics to stem the run-rate. Which they’ve succeeded in doing. But SA have made no attempt to abate England’s tactics. SA are scoring at under 3/over so far for their entire innings – which, 20 years ago, would have been fairly motoring. My problem with their lack of intention and risk is they’re losing time in the match. It’s coming up to Tea on the 2nd day, and they’ve only added about 120 runs in 2 sessions.
The pitch has no demons or gremlins in it – it’s tailor made for Kallis to go berserk and get SA up to 500. He’s a fine player with a wonderful record, but his lack of aggression and risk-taking is perhaps evident of his lack of a double-hundred in Tests. He should have scored at least one by now.
1 Comment »Gibbs and Kallis depart
By Will 6 years ago, at the end of December, No Comments; be the first!
The last over before lunch, Harmison grabbed Kallis – an excellent, low catch by ‘keeper Jones and England were clearly overjoyed. It had been quite even up until then when Rudolf and Gibbs had camped in for a long innings. But – Harmison also got Gibbs out, caught very well by Giles in one of 2 wide gullies.
Long way to go, but SA’s chances of victory are now pretty distant with the 2 big guns gone.
No Comments »Jacques Kallis “wall-like”
By Will 6 years ago, at the end of December, No Comments; be the first!
Well, South Africa have won both sessions today. England did well in the first one of today (Day 2) but really, Kallis has played a great innings. But, by Christ is he boring to watch? He’s not as attacking as he could be – SA have a healthy lead, yet they’re still tootling along at about 2.5/over. They don’t tend to play for the win – which I can’t really understand. You don’t win series by trying to save a match.
No Comments »Kallis hits 17th century against India
By Will 6 years ago, at the end of November, No Comments; be the first!
An interesting article at Cricinfo on Kallis’ hundred against India. In particular:
But before this tour something happened to change all that. Ray Jennings asked the team to talk about how they perceived each other, what they really thought, not just a facade. One of the newest members of the squad said of Kallis: “He’s a great player who doesn’t want to share his knowledge.” Kallis was stung: that just wasn’t the way it was at all.
A revealing insight into the mindset of cricketers and batsmen – and, also, perhaps, the pressure of sport and the pressure players put themselves under. Kallis is a wonderful player – over 6000 runs at nearly 54 is fine – but clearly his 16 previous centuries were immensely personal to him. He’s always struck me as a very intelligent, well-mannered, non-aggressive cricketer and someone who’d be first to help others (especially younger batsmen).
On a similar note, I think I’ll draw up a list of Cricket’s Failure’s – insanely talented batsmen who couldn’t cut it at the top level. (Why am I suddenly thinking Hick, Ramprakash, Kambli [Vinod?], Blewett…..)
PS: But why the slow run-rate (SA v India)?
No Comments »