Kallis meets Majola to explain anthem issue

Jacques Kallis today clarified that his alleged refusal to sing the national anthem was related to his father's death with whom he used to sing the anthem. "Jacques recently lost both his parents, and he was particularly close to his father who was his cricket mentor. They would often sing the anthem together, and his father was very proud of his son playing for South Africa," Gerald Majola, Cricket South Africa's CEO, said after meeting the player.

A report in South Africa's Sunday Times had implied that Kallis's silence when the rest of the team sang the national anthem had more than met the eye. "Jacques has explained why he is silent during the singing of the anthem before international matches and his explanation is completely acceptable to Cricket South Africa," Majola said in a statement.

"Jacques told me that he sings the anthem in his heart in a quiet moment in remembrance of his parents and in gratitude for what they did to allow him to be good enough to represent his country. He has great respect for the anthem and cherishes every moment he has represented South Africa around the world," the statement added.

On his part, Jacques Kallis said that "The questioning of my patriotism and commitment to South Africa can easily be answered by visiting my website www.kallis.co.za and seeing the Jacques Kallis Scholarship Foundation I have set up and this will clearly illustrate my passion and willingness to redress the imbalances of the past.

"I hope my personal and family wishes would be respected and this matter would be settled."