South Africa’s professional cricketers and the South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA) today paid tribute to Jacques Kallis, who retired from international cricket on Wednesday.
Proteas Test captain, Hashim Amla, said “Jacques was a one in 50 years cricketer who had a huge influence on so many Proteas players over a twenty year period. I was privileged to have been one of those. You appreciate the magnitude of the cricketer not only when you look at his record but also when you play alongside him.”
SACA President, Robin Peterson, said “People were entertained by Jacques on the field and statistically he is the greatest South African cricketer ever. What we were able to see as players however was the man behind all the records. The aura in the change room, the calming influence on other players and the wonderfully subtle sense of humour, often in tight situations.”
“Most of us playing franchise cricket in South Africa aspire to playing for the Proteas and most have a player we want to be like,” said Stephen Cook, bizhub Highveld Lions captain. “For so many striving young franchise cricketers that player was Jacques Kallis. He has inspired so many cricketers at many levels.”
Jacques Kallis was a professional cricketer from December 1995 to July 2014