Jacques Henry Kallis

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After a distinctly ordinary start to his Test career, Jacques Kallis has blossomed into one of the world's leading batsmen. At 24 his career is still mostly ahead of him, but after five Tests, the South African selectors might well have been wondering if they'd misjudged him. Kallis made his Test debut against England at Kingsmead in the 1995/96 season, but by the time he had completed his fifth Test he had accumulated a grand total of 57 runs at an average of just over 8. After spending a season with Middlesex, his personal breakthrough came in Rawalpindi in 1997 when he made 61 against Pakistan. Two matches later he salvaged a draw for South Africa in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG with a fighting second innings century. Generally a placid and undemonstrative man, Kallis nailed down the crucial number three position in the South African batting order after a number of players were tried and discarded. Even allowing for his dismal start, Kallis's average is now comfortably in the 40s and he has the potential to take it into the 50s by the end of his career. South Africa, however, may have to seriously consider exactly what they want of him. At present he is one of several all-rounders in the South African team, able to swing the ball sharply at surprising pace off a relaxed run-up, but there are many who believe that his workload as a bowler should be eased if he is to fulfill his undoubted potential. It is also probably true that Kallis has still to step up another level before he becomes the finished article. After his unpromising start Kallis built his batting around a solid defence, but there have been times when he has misjudged the moment to switch gears into attack. This, though, will surely come and when it does Kallis will be a formidable opponent. He is a strong man with powerful shoulders and a deep chest and he possesses a wide array of attacking strokes. To add to all this, he is a fine slip fielder. It is likely that the South African team will be built around him for some years to come.