Kallis drops bombshell by Peter Martin

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Player:	JH Kallis
Event:	South Africa in Zimbabwe 2007/08

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DateLine: 15th August 2007

 

Top Proteas allrounder Jacques Kallis dropped a bombshell Monday when he quit as vice-captain of the national cricket team – and may well quit the game.

 

The disappointment of his omission from the South African Twenty20 (T20) World Cup squad has prompted the premier allrounder to resign.

 

“I have resigned as vice-captain and I'm considering my options with regard to the rest of my career,” said Kallis.

 

“There is still a lot of emotion involved. I was very excited about the tournament and hoping to make a huge contribution.”

 

Cricket South Africa (CSA) chief executive, Gerald Majola, Tuesday expressed his regret about Kallis’ decision.

 

“Jacques is employed by CSA, and we expected him at least to sit down at a meeting and go through the matter before he made his own decision to make a public announcement,” said Majola.

 

“CSA hopes that Jacques will reconsider his decision because we believe that he has much to offer as vice-captain and has been a stalwart on the field for South African cricket for more than a decade.”

 

Proteas coach Mickey Arthur’s first reaction to the news was to implore Kallis not to do anything hasty which could have a negative impact on his career.

 

“Sure he’s disappointed,” said Arthur Tuesday.

 

“But the selectors have opted to give him a longer rest as there is a huge season ahead.

 

“We’ve got to keep him fresh and we felt he wasn’t suited for Twenty20 cricket.

 

“He should be ready for the tour to Pakistan later.

 

“But Jacques mustn’t be emotional, he mustn’t put his international career at risk just because he’s missing a 10- or 12-day tournament," Arthur added.

 

“The Twenty20 squad is a youthful and exuberant side with plenty of allrounders and batting right down the list,” said Arthur.

 

“In essence it’s a young side with new trends and new energy, and for me this is so exciting.”

 

Arthur said the Twenty20 squad would tour Zimbabwe except for wicket-keeper Mark Boucher and allrounder Justin Kemp.

 

“We’re going to rest Boucher while Justin will be getting married,” said Arthur.

 

Titans opening batsman Goolam Bodi – the only new cap – would make his ODI debut for SA against Zimbabwe.

 

Arthur said that SA are fortunate to have AB de Villiers as back-up wicketkeeper while the Eagles’ Morné van Wyk was also waiting in the wings.

 

Van Wyk had an excellent tour to Ireland last month where he scored two half-centuries in the ODIs and is currently enjoying a good tour of Zimbabwe with the South Africa A team.

 

There has been plenty of speculation about the spinners in recent representative teams, with Thandi Tshabalala being the favourite for the Twenty20 squad.

 

“At the moment Johan Botha, Paul Harris and Thandi are our front-line spinners,” said Arthur.

 

The Proteas squad (for Zimbabwe): Graeme Smith (capt), Goolam Bodi, Loots Bosman, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Herschelle Gibbs, Albie Morkel, Morné Morkel, Makhaya Ntini, Vernon Philander, Shaun Pollock, Thandi Tshabalala, Johan van der Wath.