Three players in the first Castle Lager Test between South Africa and New Zealand at Supersport Park this weekend will be joining the elite group of cricketers who have played in a hundred Test matches.
Jacques Kallis and Shaun Pollock will be making their hundredth appearance for South Africa, while the New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming will be achieving his century of Tests for the Black Caps.
”When you play in your first Test, you never really think about playing in a hundred,” said Kallis. ”But it is an honour and a privilege, and it will be something to remember in the future. But I won’t be expecting any favours from the opposition because it’s my hundredth Test.”
Kallis said he had many good memories of the 99 Tests he had played so far, with some of the highlights being his debut and his first century, against Australia, in Melbourne.
”Also, the friends I have made, both in the South African team and among the people we have played against,” he said. ”I’ve also had the opportunity to travel the world — what guy at 30 has been to some of the places I’ve been to? And I get paid for something I love doing.”
Kallis said he thought the South African team had been toughened by the two series against Australia.
”I’m very pleased that it’s the same guys who went through that who have been selected for this series. We’ve always asked for consistency in selection, and now it’s time for the guys to put their hands up. We expect a hard contest against New Zealand. I’m sure there will be some verbals, but the guys can handle that.”
Kallis is on the verge of another milestone — he needs just four more wickets and 160 runs to become the first player since the great Gary Sobers of the West Indies to score 8 000 runs and take 200 Test wickets.
Asked what he hoped for from his hundredth Test, Kallis laughed.
”A couple of hundreds and a five-for,” he said.
Pollock said it was particularly pleasing that his 100th Test was taking place at the ground where he made his Test debut. ”It certainly is a very proud moment. I’ve really enjoyed my Test experiences,” he said.
”I’ve played in an awesome side, and every time we’ve gone out, we’ve believed we had the ability to beat any team. I’ve played with some fine cricketers in the South African team, and I’ve played against some fine cricketers. I’ve been really fortunate that I haven’t had too many injuries, and I’ve made a lot of friends.”
Pollock said he would accept whatever role the captain and coach decided he should play in the team, even if it meant not taking the new ball.
”If they want to experiment, and change my role, I’ll do whatever I need to to help South Africa win a Test match. The game is much bigger than any individual. I accept that and will do my best in a new role. It will be a new challenge, and I accept that challenge.”
He said he thought New Zealand had a good, well-balanced team. ”We expect nothing less than a good contest,” he said. — Sapa