Thursday, October 11, 2007

Kallis gives Pakistan The Death

Jacques Kallis has scored his third century of the series against Pakistan to take the Saffers into a commanding position in the fourth day of the second test.

With his partner, Graeme Smith, who also notched up a hundred to his name, extended South Africa’s led to an impregnable 450 odd. He did this by a gradual, wearing grind. As always.

There were some who supported such an approach to twenty20 matches. It was the winning strategy in some games. Maybe South Africa could have used this approach, given that they badly flopped below their potential in the tournament.

Yet Kallis was dropped from the Proteas’ twenty20 squad because he was too boring. I don’t think they could have done much worse, to be honest. You might as well pick your best player, eh?

Kallis, however, bravely moaned like an eight year-old, but also mopped around Pakistan for a bit, scoring centuries left-right-and-centre to show he’s pretty good at cricket. Not just when faced by minnows, but he can play serious opposition too.

The man is much maligned, and unfairly so. I think he should move to Derby and captain England’s rugby team. Talking of which, did you know that England knocked Australia out of the World Cup?

4 comments:

Jrod said...

Imagine the irony of being dropped from a south african side for being too boring.

Sounds like a Pat Symcox joke at a sportsmen night.

Stuart said...

And yes, we are aware that we got beaten by England at rugby. Similar to Kallis - a boring game can sometimes be more effective than a crowd pleasing one.

Unknown said...

wish the indians would take a leaf out of sa's book and drop the boring dravid from their one-day team... yawn!

The Atheist said...

Boring players are brilliant. I hate it when Adam Gilchrist does something breath-taking and everyone goes wow.

Where's the spirit of playing for a draw on day two gone? That's what I miss.