Tribute to the greatest all-rounder: Thank you Jacques Kallis

Jacques Kallis

South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis announced his retirement from Test cricket on Christmas Day before the second Test between South Africa and India in Durban.

“It’s been an honour and a privilege to have been part of the South African Test team since making my debut 18 years ago. I have enjoyed every moment out in the middle but I just feel that the time is right to hang up my Test whites. It wasn’t an easy decision to come to, especially with Australia around the corner and the success this team is enjoying, but I feel that I have made my contribution in this format.” said the all-rounder.

Kallis made his debut at Kingsmead, Durban against England at the tender age of 20 in December 1995. Playing 166 matches and scoring 13,289 runs in the longer format, he is the third highest run-scorer of all-time and was likely the only player to compete and surpass the other leading board members, Ricky Ponting and Sachin Tendulkar, before his retirement.

The 38-year-old has taken 292 wickets at an average of 32.65 with his best figures 6/54 against England in 2003. He was announced as one of the Wisden Cricketers of the year this year alongside his South African counterparts Hashim Amla and Dale Steyn. Kallis has also won more Man of the Match awards than any other player in Test cricket with 23.

Kallis ended at third position in the most run-scorers list in Tests, he overtook Rahul Dravid in his final innings and is second with the most centuries (45) with Sachin Tendulkar (51). He also has the highest average amongst the top 5 run-scorers with 55.37. Kallis is currently 15th in the Top 20 Test batting standings. He has the most runs by a South African batsman and has scored two double centuries in his career spanning 18 years.

He is the only batsmen in the world who has scored more than 10,000 runs, taken 200 wickets and held 100 catches in Test and ODI (One-Day International) cricket.

However, the number three Test all-rounder in the world didn’t have a good 2013, which may have prompted the sudden retirement. The last time Kallis scored a century was more than a year ago in November 2012 against Australia in Brisbane.

In his final Test match, Kallis caught his 200th catch off JP Duminy to send Ravindra Jadeja to the dressing room. He also top scored with 115 in his final innings in the whites, making him the fourth South African batsman to do so in their final innings. Many around the world and South Africa are contemplating whether Kallis should have retired after the Australian tour to South Africa in March 2014.

Filling the void of a player of Kallis’s calibre is impossible and South Africa will have to replace a two-man player with one. Finding another all-rounder may be the initial plan but the South Africans do not have a ‘good enough’ option. Ryan McLaren or Wayne Parnell may stay in the squad but do not have the presence of delivering both of those all-rounding skills as well and as prominent as ‘King’ Kallis.

“The impact Jacques has made on South African cricket has been immense, not just as a player but as a human being,” the Proteas coach Russell Domingo said. “I’m not sure we will ever see another player of that stature very soon. Jacques’ calmness, maturity and presence in the change room will sorely be missed and hopefully he will still be able to play a role in this team’s success in the near future. He has ambitions of playing in the 2015 World Cup and it will be important for us to manage him accordingly so that he is in prime form leading into the tournament.”

Nonetheless, this is not the last time you’ll see Kallis, as the all-rounder has expressed a desire to still play one-day cricket for the Proteas and will be open for selection.

However, South Africa do not play any one-day cricket until July against Zimbabwe, which means Kallis will have to make do with domestic cricket. This comes as problem since Kallis hasn’t played for his domestic franchise, the Cape Cobras since December 2011.

He’ll also be absent from the international arena for seven months before donning the Protea badge again but Kallis is determined to bring an ICC trophy for the South African camp.

“I don’t see it as goodbye because I still have a lot of hunger to push South Africa to that World Cup in 2015 – if I am fit and performing. Winning an IPL title with the Kolkata Knight Riders was a special achievement, and I am still determined to taste that success with South Africa at an ICC event.”

Kallis leaves as South Africa hold the number one ranking in Test cricket. He also becomes the last South African player to have made his debut before 2000 and be under the captaincy of the late Hansie Cronje. This brings an end to one of the most extraordinary and successful careers in Test cricket. He will forever be known as the most humble, the most elegant and best all-rounder in the world. Many debating even being the greatest player of all-time.

“The last two years specifically have been a memorable journey with an exceptional group of cricketers. I am fortunate enough to have ended my Test career amongst a group of talented cricketers but, more importantly, friends whom I will cherish for years to come.”- Jacques Kallis

Graeme Smith paid tribute to Kallis saying, “The thing that has always stood out for me being with you is that I’ve always played for the Proteas and you’ve always been there. It’s going to be very different to know that you’re not [here] but I think your personality, your humbleness, the way you represented our great country and the way you have always been person that we as players and teammates can rely on. It speaks volumes of the person you are. It’s going to be a very sad day for me but also one to be celebrated and looked back on in the incredible career you have had. I’m very proud to have called you a friend. I wish you all the best for the retirement and it’s been a privilege and hopefully for the next five days we’ll do you proud.”

South Africa beat India by 10 wickets.