South Africa beats India by 10-wickets in Jacques Kallis’ last Test match

In the last match of Jacques Kallis, South African has registered a 10-wicket victory at Durban and has clinched the two-match series 1-0.

After coming to bat in the first innings, the Proteas could manage to score 500 runs which helped them taking a 166-run lead against India after bowling out their opponent team for 334. All-rounder Jacques Kallis has made his farewell match memorable by scoring a crucial century. His 316-ball 115 was his 45^th Test century.

Indian bowlers had to struggle hard to ball against the host team. Ravindra Jadeja claimed 6 wickets while Zaheer Khan and Mohammed Shami took 2 and 1 wicket respectively.

After coming to bat in their second innings, Indian batsmen found it difficult to face the South African bowlers as they could score only        223 runs losing all wickets, setting a total of 58-run lead against the host nation. Ajinkya Rahane tried to make a protest against the Proteas bowlers with his gritty 96 runs innings.

Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander took 3 wickets apiece while Robin Peterson alone claimed four wickets.

It was an easy chase as South African openers led their team to reach the target in 11.4 overs. Graeme Smith and Alviro Petersen were unbeaten on 27 and 31 respectively. 

Jacques Kallis announces his retirement from Test cricket

South African all-rounder, Jacques Kallis, has declared that the Boxing Day match against India is going to be the last Test match in his cricket career. This decision was announced by him on Wednesday at the beginning of the second Test against India. In his statement, he expressed his desire to play in the 2015 World Cup for South Africa.

Since making his debut against England in December 1995, Jacques Kallis has so far played 165 Test matches. In his long cricket career of eighteen years, he has scored 13174 runs at an average of 55.12, including 44 centuries and 58 half-centuries. He is currently the fourth highest run scorer in the longest format of cricket game, behind Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting and Rahul Dravid.

Kallis has shown excellent performance with the ball by taking 292 Test wickets so far at an average of 32.53. By capturing 199 Test catches, Kallis is at present taking the second position on the list of fielders with most catches in a career.

It should be hard to find any suitable player who can replace his position successfully after his retirement from the national squad. Not only the SA cricket team will be deprived of his service but also his teammates will miss his company. According to the SA coach, Russell Domingo, the team would miss Kallis’ presence in the dressing room.

Jacques Kallis has also been admired by Cricket South Africa's chief executive, Haroon Lorgat, who mentioned him South African cricket's “Rock of Gibraltar”.

South Africa declares 15-member squad without Jacques Kallis

South Africa has announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2013 that will take place in England.

This time, South Africa will have to play without their in-form all-rounder, Jacques Kallis, who made himself unavailable due to personal reasons. It was a surprise decision taken by Kallis.

Since making his ODI debut in 1996, the 37-year-old has been the regular member of the Proteas in all forms of the game for nearly two decades. In his long career, he has scored 15,756 runs in 321 ODI matches and taken 270 wickets. He is the fifth highest run scorer in ODI history. Because of his performance, he was named as one of Wisden's cricketers of the year.

In order to ensure his fitness for Tests, he has not been playing in bilateral one-day series. He has expressed his desire to be a part of the South African squad at the 2015 World Cup. Now, he is currently playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

It is sure that his absence will affect the team’s performance. His experience would help his team to do well against the opponent teams in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy. Now, selectors will have to find an alternative to fill up his place. In that case, David Miller could be the best option for his replacement.

Batting all-rounders JP Duminy and Faf du Plessis have made their return after suffering from injury. After sustaining an ankle and Achilles injuries against Australia, Duminy has been out for six months. Their inclusion in the squad will strengthen the team. AB de Villiers will continue as captain and wicketkeeper.

Matches of the second biggest tournament will be played at the Oval, Cardiff and Edgbaston, which is the venue for the final on 23 June.

The opening match will be played between South Africa and India in Cardiff on June 6.

South Africa squad for ICC Champions Trophy:  AB de Villiers (capt & wk), Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Colin Ingram, Rory Klleinveldt, Ryan McLaren, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Robin Peterson, Aaron Phangiso, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe.