Durban: Jacques Kallis paid handsome tributes to his late parents on Monday for all the support they gave to make him a cricketer and hoped he did them proud.
Kallis, who retired from Test cricket as South Africa wrapped up the two-match series 1-0 against India, also said he was fortunate to have some great coaches.
“I’ve been fortunate to have had great coaches throughout the career, my friends and family have put up with me being away, will be nice to catch up with them. So many people to thank. Two of the most important people, who aren’t there, so mum, dad I hope I’ve made you proud,” said Kallis.
Kallis, 38, said it was a tough decision for him to retire from Tests.
“I just felt I lost that little bit of an edge, because mentally it is quite tough over the five days. If I can’t give 100%, I don’t want to be bringing a team down. I had 18 wonderful years. I woke up and said it is time. I am 100% convinced that it is. When I started playing, I said I wanted to leave in a better state than what I joined it, hopefully I’ve done that,” he said at the press conference after South Africa beat India in the final Test.
He said the decision to quit from Test cricket was his own though he consulted his team mates.
“I planned it with Graeme Smith and Mark Boucher. It was totally my call. There were no outside influences,” he said.
Kallis retired as one of the greatest all-rounders the game has ever seen. He scored 13,289 runs in 166 Tests, taking 292 wickets and 200 catches.
He finished one run ahead of India’s Rahul Dravid to finish as Test cricket’s third highest run-scorer, behind Sachin Tendulkar (15,921) and Ricky Ponting (13,378). He also has 45 Test centuries to his name, the last of which came in this match.
Kallis said he had always believed in playing hard but not crossing the boundaries.
“I have always tried to lead from the front. Never been one to shout my mouth off, I just tried to get the job done, quietly pass on the knowledge that I have. I have always believed you play the game hard on the field without crossing boundaries. At the end of the day, you still want to have mates. If you can go to most of the players you’ve played the game against and have a beer, you could,” he said.
Kallis walked away with much adulation from Cricket South Africa, his team mates and the fans here. They gave him a rousing reception when he walked off after the victory. It was an apt end for him, after he made his Test debut at the same ground in 1995 versus England.
“That first Test match I played here, I was a nervous little kid. At that stage, you don’t know much about the game or your own game. To play 166 Test matches, I don’t think anyone ever dreams of that. I am thankful for every game I played, right up until the last one. I always gave everything I had,” he said. (Agencies)
