Birthday special: Jacques Kallis – Top 3 performances in international cricket
South Africa Titan Jacques Kallis is arguably the greatest all-rounder to have ever played the game. He might not have the same aura that of a Kapil Dev, an Imran Khan, an Allan Border, or an Ian Botham, but Kallis was a match-winner unlike any other. With over 25000 runs across formats to go along with 577 international wickets, Kallis was the man for all occasions. On his 47th birthday, we revisit some of his greatest performances on the international stage.
6/54 against England, 2003
England squared off against a spirited South Africa in the fourth and penultimate Test of the series at Headingley with the series level at 1-1. The visitors were rocked instantly after batting first in the match. With the scoreboard reading 4/21, South Africa needed a hero and they found in the form of Gary Kirsten, whose combative century guided them to a respectable 342. England, in reply, could manage only 307, thanks to Jacques Kallis and Makhaya Ntini, who scalped three wickets each. The visitors, in their second innings, posted 365 on the board, setting a stiff target of 401 runs. England were blown away in the chase as Kallis dished out a marauding bowling spell, returning with distinguished figures of 6/54 to hand South Africa a 191-run victory.
139 against West Indies, 2004
Wanderers hosted the fifth and final ODI between West Indies and South Africa in 2004 with the series on the line as the Proteas lead the series 2-1 heading into the final match. The visitors won the toss and batted first in the match, setting a daunting target of 302 runs, thanks to Chris Gayle’s dashing unbeaten 152. South Africa, in reply, lost Herschelle Gibbs early in the chase. But skipper Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis consolidated after the early setback, taking the home side to a commanding position. The momentum swung once again Smith’s and Boeta Dippenaar’s dismissal, however, Kallis was at his supreme best, holding the fort from one end. His 139 off 142 ensured South Africa’s victory in the series finale, for which he was named the player of the match.
224 against Sri Lanka, 2012
Sri Lanka travelled to Cape Town for the third and final Test match of the series against hosts South Africa in 2012. The visitors won the toss and opted to bowl first on a live deck at Newlands. Dhammika Prasad jolted the hosts early with a fine spell of fast bowling, dismissing Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla. But that was the only joy the islanders had on an opening day as they faced a formidable foe in Jacques Kallis. The enigmatic all-rounder, now in the twilight of his career at the time, was still as stubborn as they come. He compiled a career-best 224 to not only drag the Proteas out of trouble but turned the complexion of the match on his own. South Africa won the match by 10 wickets as Kallis was named the player of the match for his heroics.
