Very few reach the elite level with either the bat or ball in hand, and even fewer become world-class all-rounders.
One such player who did manage it and then some was Jacques Kallis.
His journey was a phenomenal one; most international cricketers would swap their career or ability just to be as good at batting or bowling as the South African. However, Kallis is a player who often doesn’t get the credit he deserves, despite simply being one of cricket’s true all-time greats.
Brilliance With the Bat
Kallis made his Test debut against England in 1995, and it took him a few matches to find his feet, but before long, he was chalking up big tallies and demonstrating strong batting ability; he scored his first century at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, a ton that helped his side earn a draw, in a series the hosts would win 1-0.
From there, Kallis began to look a complete natural with the bat, and his ability was integral to his national side. Some special innings included 150 not out against New Zealand in Hamilton in 2004 and 201 not out against India in 2010. His highest-scoring one, however, came towards the end of his career; in Cape Town, he racked up 224 runs against Sri Lanka in 2012.
He went out on a high in 2013 with a century in his final Test Match against India.
By the end of his Test career, he had scored 13,289 runs in total, along with 45 centuries. His average was 55.37, a higher total than the three batters who have scored more runs than him in the five-day format: Sachin Tendulkar, Joe Root, and Ricky Ponting.
As an ODI player, he also gave bowlers a difficult time, averaging 44.36 and reaching three figures on 17 occasions across 329 appearances for the Proteas in white-ball cricket.
His Bowling Excellence
Runs were not hard to come by for Kallis, and neither were wickets.
A fast-medium bowler, Kallis’s talent at both ends of the pitch cemented him as one of the best players of all time, up there with the likes of Garfield Sobers as one of the finest all-rounders.
With the red Test ball, he secured 292 wickets for his country at an average of 32.65. In ODI matches, he was also strong, taking 273 wickets with a 31.79 average.
In his prime, he was considered one of the top bowlers in international cricket. He also helped his team get wickets as a fielder; he took 200 Test catches, the fifth most of any player, and is in the top 10 for catches in one-day internationals, with 131.
Why Kallis is Often Overlooked
Cricket is a team game at the end of the day, and the measure of a successful career in international cricket often comes down to trophies.
Tendulkar is another legend of the sport, known for his brilliance on the pitch but also for what he and India won during his time playing, namely the 2011 World Cup.
Greats like Ponting, Steve Waugh, and Shane Warne were jewels in the crown of the Australian side that won the competition in 1999, but had other top players alongside them.
Despite being one of the best international teams on the planet, South Africa could never get over the line on the biggest stage; Kallis featured in two World Cup semi-finals. He scored 53 runs against Australia in 1999; the game was drawn, but Waugh’s side progressed due to better performance in the Super Six Round.
South Africa got another crack at them in the last four in 2007; Glen McGrath bowled Kallis out for five as Australia cruised to a comfortable victory on their way to winning a fourth World Cup.
It’s still important to note that Kallis helped his team secure international success; his five wickets and solid tally of 37 runs were integral to South Africa beating the West Indies in the 1998 ICC Champions Trophy final, the same year he was part of the side that won the Commonwealth Games, the first and only time men’s cricket has been held at the event.
However, despite these victories, most would agree that Kallis’s ability deserved more international glory.
Kallis was also known for staying out of the limelight and focusing on his cricket. This introverted approach, given that he had enough talent to transcend his sport in the way others do, is partly why many don’t realise or give thought to just how good he was.
Shaun Pollock, a former South African teammate of Kallis, believed his quiet personality was a factor: “Jacques was never a big one for the media, didn’t want to give too many opinions or go to too many press conferences. He tried to keep everything to himself, and maybe that could be the reason why Brian Lara, for example, got more recognition.”
Praise From His Peers
Those who played against and with Kallis have praised him, with Ponting recently saying, “Jacques Kallis is the best cricketer who has ever played.”
Kevin Pietersen, who was born in South Africa but became one of England’s best ever batters, gave his opinion on the all-rounder: “I truly believe Kallis is the greatest cricketer ever.”
Graeme Smith commended his international teammate for what he did for South Africa: “He brought so much happiness and South African cricket got a lot out of Jacques in so many different eras.”