Kallis emphasises his commitment to play for country

Jacques Kallis, who recently quit vice-captaincy of the national team after being omitted from the squad for Twenty20 World Championship, has said he was committed to playing for the country and his patriotism cannot be doubted.

"If it wasn't about playing for South Africa, if it was about money, then I'd be in England or India," Kallis told the Mercury.

Kallis said he had received offers immediately after reports of his unhappiness about being left out were published around the world. "When people heard that I was unhappy, the offers that came in to my manager Dave Rundle were substantial. They were three or four times more than I earn now."

Kallis said he was scheduled to meet with Gerald Majola, the Cricket South Africa chief executive, this weekend and expected that the topic would be discussed then. "I made a decision to resign as vice-captain last week and I would like to stick to that. My main focus is that I want to play, and play well. But if any of the guys need any help or advice from me, then I'm more than willing to help, any time."

Kallis said he was deeply hurt when he was left out of the team because as far as he was concerned he was playing his best cricket and there was no need for him to take a rest. "I'm really sorry the way it was handled and my emotions reflected that. If I had been told straight away that I was being left out because the selectors felt I wasn't suited to the 20-over cricket, I would have been extremely disappointed but I would have accepted the decision and moved on.

"I understand that I was originally selected and when the phone call came through that I was being rested, it was something I didn't understand. It didn't make any sense because I've just spent three months resting. It's a World Cup in my own country and I was desperate to play. I won't get another chance."

Kallis also said he was grateful to have a friend like Mark Boucher, who stood up for him when he was dropped. Boucher was fined 50 per cent of his match fees for one-day internationals against Zimbabwe played recently. "I can't comment on the fine, but I saw a readers' poll that had more than 90 per cent of people saying it was `extremely harsh'. But to have a friend as loyal as he is, and to see him speaking out on my behalf, was very special. He's as good a mate as you could have."