Kallis faces up to new challenge

Johannesburg: There is the distinct impression that England's captain Nasser Hussain does not quite believe the stories that Jacques Kallis, now credited as the world's number one all-rounder is unable to bowl in the first two Tests of the series.

While not quite the devastating blow many feel his absence from the attack is at the Wanderers in this first match of the series, there is a chance he yet bowl in the second in Port Elizabeth.

Well, that is the way Kallis looks at it at the moment while his captain, Hansie Cronje, and the coach, Graham Ford, view the young Capetonian's absence has created problems as his out-swing, which has developed since he was first used as a bowler, under the guidance of the former coach, Bob Woolmer.

His three-in-one role as front line batsman at three in the order, swing bowler and slip fielder have turned the former Wynberg Boys' High product into a class act, which is what Woolmer had been predicting since he toured Sri Lanka as a 19-year-old in the 1995 tour of Sri Lanka with the under-24 side.

Also on that tour were Shaun Pollock, who made his Test debut against England in the same series as Kallis, and Lance Klusener, overlooked until 1996/97 when his chance arose during the tour of India.

Ask Kallis about any defining moments and he is quick to explain how he did not enjoy at all his first Test series, against England in South Africa when he made his debut at Kingsmead in the 1995/96 series.

Scores of one and seven are not what he likes to remember. "All part of the growing up process, I guess," he said when reflecting on the start of his career.

The left knee injury after the Bloemfontein Test against Zimbabwe, where he collected man of the match award, a wicket haul of seven for 112 and a score of 64 in the only innings South Africa needed was a display of form which had impressive undertones. Yet he feels there is no pressure to perform as a batsman in the Test which started at the Wanderers today.

In the return Test against Zimbabwe in Harare Kallis' reaction to just being a batsman was an impressively structured century. "It's obviously going to be something different for me. I'm disappointed at not being able to bowl, but in the long run its probably the best thing," said Kallis this week.

"It doesn't mean I feel under more pressure to perform better with the bat either. Against Zimbabwe in Harare I did probably concentrate a bit more when I was batting and it did help me a bit. But I never felt under any extra pressure."

Kallis was quick to admit how his Test debut was disappointing, but then points out that the transition from provincial to international level is far from easy one. Since those games in Durban at Newlands he has played well against England with a 40 plus batting average during last year's England tour.

"Sure, it does take a while to adapt to the game at Test level," he said."I feel I had a decent series in England, so I'm not too worried. I will just go out there and play my game . . . go and do what I have been doing for the past two years."

Medical opinion is that he could be unable to bowl for at least the first two Tests of the current series, but the all-rounder is hopeful of a quicker recovery.

"My knee is a lot better now. The swelling has gone down and I'll hopefully start bowling after this Test - if everything goes well. If possible would like to be able to bowl in the second Test," he added. That game is in Port Elizabeth from December 9-13.

Ford, the new coach, has agreed that the injury to Kallis had affected the balance of the side.

"If Jacques was bowling, we would not consider leaving a spinner out of our Test team. If he could bowl, we'd have all our options covered with the extra seamer," said Ford.

Which is all very nice but it still leave a question mark over what bowling role the skipper, Hansie Cronje hopes to play in this match. "I'll do a cover job," he admitted. "It's the best I can do."