Kallis - 'the team comes first'

Jacques Kallis was quick to share the credit with his team-mates Graeme Smith and Herschelle Gibbs, after his fourth century in as many Tests had carried South Africa to an impregnable total of 604 for 6. It was only the second time in Test history that a team has made more than 500 in four consecutive matches.

"The guys [Smith and Gibbs] set up a platform for us, and even though the ball moved around a lot, it allowed us to play a few shots," said Kallis. "There is still something in the pitch and with the new ball, if you get it in the right places, then there is some lateral movement.

"When you come in and there is 300 on the board, then it does make it a bit easier," admitted Kallis. "There is less pressure on you but you are still there to score the runs. I am very proud of what I have done and it is something that I will remember for a very long time. The chanting from the crowd was fantastic and the players really like it. Centurion always seem to be a good knowledgeable crowd and they help me through the more difficult periods.

Both Kallis and his team were keenly aware of the records that were tumbling in the course of his innings. "The captain did ask me if I wanted to carry on, but I told him that the team comes first and he should do what he feels best for the team. I have always believed that is the best ethic and it has been the team ethic for a while now.

"It was the right decision," added Kallis. "We believe that we can bowl them out twice for less than 600 and that is why we declared. We will need to use the new ball early and open a few doors. That would encourage the bowlers throughout the day.

"Their bowling attack is not that weak, we have played very well. There are a lot weaker attacks in world cricket at the moment. We have had a little bit of luck and the fielding has not helped them much.

Kallis put his phenomenal run of scoring down to that most fickle of attributes - good fortune. "I have been a bit luckier that the others," he said. "But at times you have to ride your luck and the bounce of the ball has gone my way. I have also worked hard on technical things and mental preparations. I have been working on my focus before every ball and maybe this is different to what others have done. My fitness has also improved with the new fitness trainer keeping us on our toes and we are fitter now than any other team I have seen for South Africa. That also plays a big part as far as stamina and concentration goes.

"The pitch still has something in it," said Kallis, by way of justifying Brian Lara's decision to bowl first. "You never quite felt that you were in. You could not play shots with freedom and ease and had to be careful on most shots. There is certainly still a lot in there for the bowlers and I think it is a good Test pitch.

"It will be nice to bowl on this pitch. I am sure it will swing but will have to wait and see. I don't think it will deteriorate, it might get a bit flatter with time, especially if the sun comes out. If it stays overcast then it will swing as it will maintain its moisture.

There was some disappointment among the fans that Andre Nel, who was about to get married, did not get a chance to bowl at the end of the day. "Andre was so nervous at the end that I don't think he would have hit the pitch. We did give him a nice send-off though, good luck to him. We poured a beer down his throat to try to calm his nerves. It is an odd decision to get married during a Test. It must be a first. If I had to get married during a Test then cricket would be the last thing on my mind.

"One of our main goals is to close the gap on the Australian team. We are very aware where they are and where we are. As far as the batting goes we want to compete with them, get as good as they are and ultimately better than them. It is something that we are working towards in two years' time and eyeing out that series. It will be a huge series for us. At the moment I think we are very close to them."