The United Cricket Board confirmed that Henry Kallis, after a battle wth lung cancer, died in the early hours of Wednesday.
The UCB expressed its sincere condolences to South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis and his sister Janine on the death of their father Henry (65).
”This is a terribly sad and difficult time for both Jacques and Janine, who have suffered along with their father for some time,” said UCB CEO Gerald Majola.
”Jacques has always named his dad as his biggest influence and mentor and Henry gave his everything to support both his children. Our thoughts are with them,” he added.
Kallis took compassionate leave immediately after the final of the triangular NatWrest limited-overs series in England to be with his father.
South Africa play England in the first test on Thursday and whether Kallis will be back in time for next week’s second test is still not known.
The UCB says no pressure would be placed on the player to return to the fray until his family situation had returned to normal.
Jacques Kallis’s absence from the first Test against England has left South Africa with a huge hole in their team.
Kallis was South Africa’s in-form batsman during the triangular one-day series scoring 329 runs, including back-to-back hundreds, before returning home after the Proteas’ one-sided, seven-wicket final defeat by England at Lord’s on July 12.
And without his lively pace bowling, South Africa’s attack — new-ball duo Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini accepted — is vastly inexperienced.
All of South Africa’s other top order batsmen made fifties in the tourists’ final warm-up match, against India A, which concluded at Arundel on Monday.
Herschelle Gibbs’ innings was especially welcome after a run of low scores.
But batting on a placid pitch, against an attack of modest pace, was no preparation for facing England quicks James Anderson and Darren Gough.
Whether Gibbs, a gifted strokeplayer, can make the late adjustments that are often required against the swinging and seaming ball remains to be seen.
Much will depend on 35-year-left-hander Gary Kirsten, South Africa’s most capped player with 89 Tests, who missed the triangular series after retiring from one-day internationals following the World Cup.
Kirsten’s immense powers of concentration make him adept at anchoring an innings as England will recall from the 210 he made in the Headingley Test on South Africa’s last tour here in 1998.
Edgbaston is not known for helping spinners which means South Africa are likely to field a four-man pace attack while packing the batting in a bid to deny England the 20 wickets they need for victory.
But who will support Pollock and Ntini?
At Arundel, uncapped 20-year-old Monde Zondeki looked a lively prospect while Dewald Pretorious showed plenty of determination.
However Charl Willoughby — rested from the Arundel match — could come into contention. He is a left-arm swing bowler and that is not something batsmen come up against that often.
England welcome back Test captain Nasser Hussain, who resumes the leadership from one-day skipper Michael Vaughan and wicket-keeper Alec Stewart.
Both men, like Kirsten, quit one-day internationals after the World Cup.
Surrey stalwart Stewart, 40, announced on Tuesday he would retire from Test cricket at the end of this series. But he remains a superior batsman to his England rivals.
Test regular Mark Butcher further strengthens England’s batting.
But there is no room for his fellow Surrey left-hander Graham Thorpe who has made himself available for internationals again following personal problems.
Instead Anthony McGrath retains his middle-order place although the Yorkshire captain still appears the weakest link in England’s top six.
Andrew Flintoff’s undounted talent started to flower in the one-dayers and, after missing England’s previous eight Test through injury, home fans will hope this is the series where the all-rounder comes into full bloom.
Gough (32) has not played Test cricket for two years because of knee problems and, despite his impressive return in the triangular, there are lingering doubts over his fitness.
The first two Tests are back-to-back games — which could rule Kallis out of Lord’s as well — and were Gough to break down it would be a huge blow to England’s morale. – Sapa-AFP, Sapa