5 Best performances of Jacques Kallis’ international cricket career

Jacques Kallis. (Photo Source: Twitter)

legendary South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis celebrated his 48th birthday on October 16, 2023. Considered to be one of the all-time greatest all-rounders in the world, he is often seen at par with Sir Garfield Sobers.

Kallis made his South Africa debut in 1995 and made an immediate impact. He was a technically perfect batter and a nippy, more than medium fast pacer, who could bowl a mean bouncer and yorker. He proved to be a great support to the Proteas bowling lineup led by Allan Donald and Shaun Pollock at first. And then played second fiddle to Makhaya Ntini and Dale Steyn.  

He had an excellent career throughout in which he showed his longevity with both the bat and the ball. In 166 Tests, Kallis made 13289 runs and picked 292 wickets, with 45 centuries to his name. In 328 ODIs, Kallis made 11579 runs and picked 273 wickets with 17 centuries. He excelled in T20Is as well, scoring 666 runs and taking 12 wickets in 25 matches. 

Here are the 5 Best performances of Jacques Kallis’ international cricket career:

5. 101 vs Australia- 1st Test, Melbourne 1997

This was the first Test of the series between Australia and South Africa during the 1997-98 series which was played in Melbourne. Australia batted first and posted 309 in 1st innings riding on Ricky Ponting’s 105 and Steve Waugh’s 96. In their first innings, South Africa posted 186 runs with Gary Kirsten making 83.

Australia then piled on the lead scoring 257 runs in the second do, setting South Africa a target of 381 runs. Though Paul Reiffel and Shane Warne gave Australia quick wickets, Jacques Kallis in the early stages of his career, partnered with Hansie Cronje and kept the Australians at bay. He scored 101 in 279 balls with only 6 fours, which was his maiden Test century. South Africa managed to draw the Test, finishing on 273/7.

He was also named the Player of the Match for this knock, which displayed his immense talent

4. 113*- vs Sri Lanka- semi-final of ICC Knockout Trophy 1998

While he was very good in Test cricket, Kallis took some time to adapt himself to the ODI format. But he was still coming to terms with white-ball cricket. He also used to bat in the middle order, instead of no.3 like he did later on. But he showed he belonged in ODIs in a crunch match of the ICC Knockout Trophy in 1998.

South Africa faced Sri Lanka in the 1st semi-final in Dhaka and was asked to bat first in a 39-over as-side match. Proteas couldn’t get a good start, but Jacques Kallis stood out with 113* in 100 balls with five sixes and five fours. None of the other batters went past 30, as South Africa posted 240/7 in 39 overs.

This proved to be enough as Sri Lanka was asked to chase 224 in 34 overs but only managed 132 runs. South Africa won by 92 runs via the DL method and qualified for the final. Kallis received the Player of the Match for his amazing century, which was the only stand-out knock from the match.

3. 110, 88*, 2/34 and 5/90 vs West Indies- 4th Test Cape Town (1998-99)

Jacques Kallis showcased his all-round skills with the bat and the ball in the 4th Test between South Africa and West Indies Cape Town in 1999. Batting first, Kallis anchored the Proteas innings while slamming 110 runs with 9 fours, while Daryll Cullinan made 168 with 20 fours, taking the score to 406/8d.

He then helped wipe off the tail as West Indies replied with 212. As South Africa looked for a huge lead in the second innings, Kallis once again laid anchor and scored 88* in 257 runs as they posted 226/7d. West Indies needed 421 runs to win the match and then Kallis showed his class with the ball.

He picked wickets of Junior Murray (7), Shivnarine Chanderpaul (5), Carl Hooper (20), and then two tailenders to finish with figures of 5/90. South Africa won by 149 runs and Kallis was named the Player of the Match for this exhilarating all-round performance.  

2. 119* & 3/3- vs India, Durban 2006

Jacques Kallis had established himself at no.3 in both Tests and ODIs for South Africa. This encounter was played in Durban in 2006 against India. South Africa won the toss and chose to bat first. Kallis hammered the Indian bowlers to make 119* with 15 fours to his name. The next best score was 41 by AB de Villiers, as South Africa posted 248/8 in 50 overs.

The target was not a big one, but Shaun Pollock and Andre Nel wreaked havoc on Indian batting as it imploded to 91 all-out. Sachin Tendulkar top-scored with 35 runs. Kallis chipped in with 3/3 wrapping up the tail quickly as South Africa won by 157 runs.  

1. 115 vs India, 2nd Test, Durban 2013-14

This was Jacques Kallis’ 166th and final Test match, which came against India in Durban in 2013. India had won the toss and chose to bat first. Thanks to half-centuries from Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, India posted 334.

In reply, South Africa made 500 runs. Jacques Kallis scored the lone century in Proteas 1st innings, making 115 with 13 fours to his name. It was a sublime knock that saw Kallis battling with Zaheer Khan, Mohammed Shami, and Ishant Sharma amongst others. He also handled Ravindra Jadeja’s spin well.

This proved to be his only innings of the match and he signed off from Test cricket with a ton to his name, ending a glorious 19-year career for South Africa.