Jacques Kallis has struggled to make runs in England © Getty Images Enlarge

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To suggest Jacques Kallis has something missing on his cricketing CV would seem an inaccuracy but it isn't. He has admitted a World Cup trophy would colour in some of the available space. Others have suggested a strong tour of England could fill the blanks.

Kallis has a poor record in England. His batting average there is 29.30 - little more than half his overall 56.78. Of his 42 hundreds Kallis has scored only one of them in England and that came 14 years ago. He has been dismissed for less than 15 on 11 of the 20 occasions he has batted in England and has scored only three half-centuries.

Having conquered tough batting territories such as Australia and his home country, South Africa, the cause of Kallis' underperformance in England is not immediately evident and it is something even he cannot really explain. "I couldn't tell you why that is, I wouldn't know," Kallis said at The Oval. "I'm not one that worries too much about what happens in previous innings."

While that means Kallis does not bask in glories like his century at the MCG in 1997 or his first double-hundred after 143 Tests, it also means he does not carry any baggage from his disappointments in England. "You don't get a head start from doing well in a previous innings or a previous tour. Every new tour, you start with 0 behind your name. It's not like formula one where you get pole position," he said. "That's the way I approach my career. It will be nice if I can have a big tour but if I have a bad tour and we win, I'll take that as well."

He won't say it but this is probably Kallis' last visit to England. He will play on "as long as I am still enjoying it" and although refusing to put a date on retirement he has acknowledged that it is looming. With that in the background, Kallis will want to say goodbye to England with his best but said that does not require him to change anything.

"I'll just prepare the way I've always prepared," he said. "The past is the past. The last innings is the last innings and it plays no part in me wanting to do better. I just do what I do day in or day out and try and perform for whatever side I've played for."

His approach at the crease may remain the same, but Kallis has prepared for this series differently already. From a conditioning perspective and the mental aspects, Kallis is more ready than before. "I am as fit as I've ever been," he confessed. "I'm probably playing as good cricket as I've ever played in my career. I'm hitting the ball as well as I've ever hit it. It's like studying for an exam, and I've covered all the bases."

He has also had a change in role in bowling terms. No longer relied on to bear a heavy load of overs, which he was on his previous three tours to England, Kallis is now used as an impact bowler, in short bursts. It allows him the breaks he needs and so far, it has paid off. Kallis has bowled quickly in recent matches - up towards 90mph - and has been able to capitalise on the pressure created by the other seamers.

The burden has been lifted slightly but Kallis said his bowling is "as important as the batting to me" and he understands he will be required to contribute with the ball for South Africa to see success in the series. "Whether it be taking wickets, holding up an end and or trying to be aggressive, whatever role I get given on the day, I want to try and perform that role."

The match-up between the two bowling attacks has been talked of as the most intense of the series and Kallis was not one to play it down. "The two attacks are as good as there is in world cricket at the moment. It's going to be interesting to see who comes out on top," he said. While he couldn't call a winner, he was able to provide an assessment of the South African pack and why he thinks they will succeed. "We've got a nice balanced attack now, covering most surfaces and conditions. We've performed well of late and have gained a lot of confidence through that."

Kallis emphasised much of what the rest of the squad has been saying in the build-up. He expects uncompromising encounters, which he maintains is the best way to play the game, and which could create the situation for him to emerge on top. "This is why you play Test cricket: to test yourself against the best and be put in tough, tense situations. I'm sure the series it will be played the way cricket should be played - hard but in the right spirit."