Sunday, November 18, 2007

KALLIS Da Man

JH Kallis - the best all rounder in the game today, well ahead of anybody else - is in super form these days in cricket. After scoring quite a few centuries in South Africa's tour of Pakistan, Kallis has continued his prime form in the home series against New Zealand.

Kallis did not score in the first innings of the first test match, but in the second innings he scored 186 off just 262 in a swash-buckling innings, a very unlike Kallis innings. This should silence those critics who say he scores too slowly. The truth is that Kallis, more often than not, gets the job done with both the bat and the ball and is no doubt the best all-rounder in the game today. Kallis hit 25 4's and 3 6's scoring his century with an amazing strike rate of about 71.

In the second test match Kallis has continued his awesome form and has scored yet another century leading the home side to a score of 272/3 in reply to New Zealand's modest total of 188 in the first innings. Again Kallis scored his runs at a rapid pace seeming to play more against his critics than the New Zealand bowling attack. Kallis scored 131 off 177 deliveries at a rate of 74 runs per 100 balls. Amazing stuff from an amazing cricketer. Amla has provided the solid support in both of Kallis's centuries in the series. In this innings he is still there at 89 as him and Kallis resurrected the South African innings after they had been reduced to 31/2.

There was a time when the cricketing world was overflowing with all-rounders of the likes of Imran Khan, Richard Hadlee, Ian Botham, Steve Waugh, Kapil Dev, etc..in today's cricketing world there are a lot of bits and pieces players but few players who can merit a place in the team for any one skill it is refreshing to have the likes of Kallis. One hopes his recent form will silence his critics as the South Africa team's balance and strength owes a lot to having a certain Kallis in their team.

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1 Pitched:

  1. Q said...
     

    After yesterday, Kallis has scored 5 centuries in 4 tests. Brilliant effort!

    I see him going past Yousuf and Ponting in the ICC rankings, if he hasn't already.

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