South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis is undoubtedly one of the greatest players to have ever graced the game. His record speaks for itself – 13174 runs in 165 Tests averaging over 55 with 44 hundreds. He also has 292 wickets to his credit at an average of 32.5 with five five- wicket hauls. While Kallis has reduced his bowling frequency in recent years, his batting has remained his main strength. But over the last year, his batting form has taken a severe dip. In his last nine Tests, he has managed only 337 runs averaging 22.4 with a highest of 60. Here is a detailed breakdown of his performances over the nine Tests.
Adelaide 2012: In this drawn game, Kallis got starts in both innings, but did not carry on. He made 58 from 93 balls in the first innings and 46 from 110 in the second. The game is best remembered for du Plessis’ unbeaten century, which helped South Africa save the game.
Perth 2012: South Africa won this Test, but Kallis had a forgettable outing. He was clean bowled by Mitchell Starc by 2 in the first innings and made 37 from 65 balls in the second before being dismissed. This was Ricky Ponting’s farewell Test.
Cape Town 2013: South Africa won the match by an innings and 27 runs against New Zealand. Kallis played his part making 60 from 89 balls, but for a man known for converting big scores, he would have been disappointed to have gotten out.
Port Elizabeth 2013: South Africa again won the Test by an innings and 193 runs against the Kiwis, but Kallis registered a failure scoring only 8 from 11 balls before falling to Doug Bracewell.
Johannesburg 2013: Again, South Africa won the Test against Pakistan, this time by 211 runs. Yet again, Kallis got a start, but could not carry on. He made 50 from 78 balls in the first innings before falling to Umar Gul. In the second innings, Kallis fell to Saeed Ajmal for 7.
Cape Town 2013: Another victory for Proteas, another failure for Kallis. He fell to Ajmal for 2 from 19 balls in the first innings and made 21 in the second before again being dismissed by his nemesis Ajmal.
Abu Dhabi 2013: Things got worse for Kallis against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi. He struggled for 5 from 28 in the first innings and registered a duck in the second essay. Further, Pakistan won this Test by seven wickets.
Dubai 2013: South Africa hit back by registering an innings and 92-run triumph against Pakistan, but Kallis’ poor form continued. He fell for 7 from 30 balls as Ajmal again saw the back of him. Johannesburg 2013: Kallis failed in the first Test against India too, which was drawn under tense circumstances. He was dismissed for a first-ball duck by Ishant Sharma in the first innings and was unlucky to have been given out lbw to Zaheer Khan for 34 in the crucial second innings, which extended his wretched form.
--By A Cricket Analyst
