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Kallis can still be Kolkata's Knight in shining armour
Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL rivals should write off veteran Jacques Kallis “at your own risk”, according to the 2012 champions’ coach Trevor Bayliss.
All-rounder Kallis called time on his Test career at the end of 2013 and has made only one competitive appearance this year as his Cape Cobras lost to Dolphins in the final of the Ram Slam T20 Challenge in February.
Having powered KKR to the title two years ago, the 38-year-old endured a disappointing campaign with the bat 12 months ago averaging just 20.73 as the franchise lost 10 of their 16 games to miss the play-offs.
But the South African was still a force with the ball, taking 16 wickets, and ahead of the season opener against champions Mumbai Indians tonight, Bayliss is confident that a well-rested Kallis will have a huge role to play.
“Jacques has got a wonderful record and like a lot of those great players – and he’s certainly in that category as a great cricketer – you write people off at your own risk,” the Australian coach said.
“A lot of those good players, when people think they’re down and out that’s exactly when something clicks in their mind and they say ‘right, I’m gonna show you’. So if anyone wants to write Jacques off then do it at your own peril.
“From what I’ve seen this year, he’s still batting and bowling as well as he ever has and in fact the fact he hasn’t actually played Test match cricket, I think his body and his mind are in a good state.
“So I would be surprised if he didn’t do well in this tournament.”
Indeed, Kallis could form part of a fearsome bowling attack tonight with new recruit Morne Morkel, Sunil Narine, Umesh Yadav, Pat Cummins, Yusuf Pathan and Shakib Al Hasan also on the KKR roster.
Not all of the overseas players can play, of course, and if there is a downside to having such a plethora of bowling talent it is the pressure it may place on the likes of captain Gautam Gambhir and Robin Uthappa at the top of the batting order.
Bayliss, though, is content with the balance of his side.
“We’re very happy with the squad that we’ve got,” he said. “We’ve got a number of different options, a number of different quality options that we can take. Depending on the opposition we’re playing, depending on the type of wicket we’re playing we can select a different team.
“So obviously it’s about getting that combination right but most of all it’s about whatever team we pick that those 11 guys play well on the day.”
To ensure they arrive at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in the right frame of mind KKR have been working with renowned explorer Mike Horn, whose motivational speaking was cited as a factor in India’s 2011 Cricket World Cup win.
“Mike has got an infectious personality and everyone is drawn to him,” Bayliss added. “But it’s the messages he gives about life I suppose and the life he has lived is one with a positive outlook all the time. The glass is always half full, it’s never half empty.
“It’s that positive outlook that he’s tried to pass onto the boys. Personally, it’s been fantastic to listen to him talk.”
KKR have been in the UAE for a week and Bayliss admitted their preparations had been a lot more relaxed than they usually would have been back home in India.
The coach revealed a few of his more senior players were “probably enjoying a little bit of a quieter lifestyle” but is sure that would not affect their focus.
“It’s the same for everyone, it’s how each of the teams handle that,” Bayliss said when asked about the laid back atmosphere in the Emirates.
“But it would be good to leave the UAE with a couple of wins under your belt before you get back to India.”
