Top 3 Test innings of Jacques Kallis 

Jacques Kallis is one of the finest All-rounders in Test cricket. The former South African cricketer was one of the best cricketers of his time and was sensational as a batter. As a bowler, Kallis was a handy fifth bowling option. As a slip fielder, Kallis was very good at catching the red cherry. As a package, Kallis was valuable to South Africa. Any team would have loved to have someone like Kallis in their team.

For players to be considered of greater stature, many believe that they have to be genuinely great in one aspect of the game. Kallis as a batter was phenomenal. From the late 1990s to the early 2010s, Kallis was in his absolute best form with the bat. In the period, Kallis played some great knocks as a batter. The thing to appreciate about Kallis was that his best performances came in the subcontinent and the swinging conditions of England. 

Here are the Top 3 Test innings of Kallis:

173 vs India, Nagpur 2010

It was the first Test of the series between India and Pakistan in Nagpur. Back in time, they were the two best sides in Test cricket. South Africa was the best side and toured the subcontinent by winning series in many conditions like Australia, England, New Zealand, and West Indies. It was important for South Africa to win a series in India to establish their supremacy.

South Africa drew the series in India, which is one of the rare feats in the 21st century. The Proteas won the Test in Nagpur, and Kallis played a big role in it. The visiting side was reduced to 6/2 in no time. In came Kallis who scored 173 runs in 351 balls, which included 15 fours and a couple of sixes. Amla was the star of the show with a score of 253. Dale Steyn ran through the Indian batting lineup and helped South Africa to win the Test match. 

182 vs England, The Oval 2012

It was the first Test of the series between England and South Africa. It was another Test where Hashim Amla shined and Kallis played a second fiddle to him. Batting first, England scored 385 runs in 125.5 overs. What followed was marathon knocks from the trio of Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla, and Jacques Kallis. South Africa scored 637 runs for the loss of just 2 wickets and declared their innings.

Graeme Smith scored 131 runs in 273 balls. Hashim Amla was the most impressive of the lot, who scored a mammoth unbeaten 311*(529) that included 35 boundaries. Kallis from his end scored an unbeaten 182 from 326 balls, which included 23 fours and a six. Against a good attack consisting of James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, Tim Bresnan, and Ravi Bopara, Kallis scored a fabulous ton. The Proteas emerged victorious by an innings and 12 runs.

186 vs New Zealand, Johannesburg 2007

It was the opening Test of the South Africa-New Zealand series. It was a tricky wicket in Johannesburg. Batting first, the home side managed to score only 226 runs. Kallis made 29 runs in them. New Zealand in their first innings was bundled out for just 118 runs. With a massive lead of 108 runs already in the match, South Africa batted aggressively in their second innings. So did Kallis, who played one of the most aggressive knocks of his career.

Coming in at 20/2, Kallis scored 186 runs in 262 balls. It was one of the greatest Kiwi attacks of all time. There were some very good bowlers in the attack like Shane Bond, Chris Martin, Daniel Vettori, Iain O’Brien, and Jacob Oram. Kallis helped South Africa to score 422 runs in the second innings, which took the game away from the visiting side completely. The hosts ended up winning by 358 runs.