J. Kallis in his true light.

[John]

This batting performance by Australia shows what a great batsmen Kallis is. Quiet rightly in the top five in the world.
Averaged 69 against England in the winter.

[Maranello]

I agree Kallis is a very accomplished batsman, and alongwith Dravid, one of the guys who are both consistent and prolific these days. Bob Woolmer, who knows a thing or two about cricketers, has always rated Kallis as the best batsman over the past few years, and his favourite cricketer.

Kallis' efforts against England this winter were excellent and deserve accolades. Not sure though if we can compare that with the Australians now; different pitches, different bowling conditions and a completely different standard of bowling (the Harmison in SA is not the Harmison in the UK).

[greg]

The thing about Kallis is that he plays for himself not the team.When South Africa were miles on top and looking for a declaration Kallis slowed up and batted for his not out.He is Boycott like in his quest for runs but there are times when he needs to play for the team rather than his own average.

No denying his quality though.

[Rachael]

Originally Posted by John

This batting performance by Australia shows what a great batsmen Kallis is. Quiet rightly in the top five in the world. Averaged 69 against England in the winter.

Interesting one, that: the sentiment is certainly right... but I'm not sure about the evidence - England have surely posed far, far more questions in this series than they EVER did in South Africa...

[John]

Up there with Dravid I agree. There can be very little doubt about Kallis ability although there is some doubt about him being a team man.

[flanflinger]

Originally Posted by Rachael

England have surely posed far, far more questions in this series than they EVER did in South Africa...

With Rachael on this one. If England had bowled like they are now in SA during the winter, I'm afraid that SA would not have stood a chance...

Having said that - Kallis is a proven quality bat, and he would still have scored plenty of runs...

[John]

I sure Ponting would love to have Kallis in his lineup Thursday week.

[flanflinger]

Think Kallis would get into every Test team in the world... at the moment he would easily replace 3 or 4 of the Australian top order...

[Rachael]

Originally Posted by flanflinger

Think Kallis would get into every Test team in the world... at the moment he would easily replace 3 or 4 of the Australian top order...

After years of seeing world XIs dominated by Aussies... it's actually starting to look like an interesting excercise once again.

Langer
Sehwag
Dravid
Ponting / Inzi
Lara
Kallis
Flintoff
??? (wk)
Warne (capt)
Murali
McGrath

I guess Gilchrist retains the gloves for now... but I've long wondered how he'd do with the bat against a really decent attack that didn't give him the chance to swing his arms... and when forced to leave anything outside off stump... and he really isn't looking too inspired at the moment (or with the gloves) - Kamran Akmal anyone?

I'd also like to think there's a bit of queue forming for that final bowling spot now: Pollock had a pretty ordinary series vs. England.. and I fear Ntini's still just short of the highest level.. and Harmison's still dithering just shy of the necessary consistency... but Jones and Lee are making a case... and it's surely just a matter of time before Pathan joins the contenders. Probably all behind Akhtar right now.. bt maybe not for long.

[Seamer]

Originally Posted by John

This batting performance by Australia shows what a great batsmen Kallis is. Quiet rightly in the top five in the world.
Averaged 69 against England in the winter.

Yes i watched a fair bit of that tour and he was very good to watch. The most impressive aspect of his efforts that tour was the fact he often performed with little support from the other end. Is very difficult to bat well when wickets are tumbling at the other end, which makes his performances in that series even more impressive.