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Jacques Kallis of South Africa lays on the ground after taking a blow to the head.

HOLD tight on preparing the Jacques Kallis eulogies, because “there’s nothing wrong with his globes”, says Cape Cobras coach Richard Pybus.

Kallis’s eyesight has been a contentious issue of late since being hit on the side of his head by a Dilhara Fernando delivery in the first Test against Sri Lanka at Centurion last week. Kallis ducked into the ball, which struck him on the grill of his helmet, resulting in blood pouring from his ear. Upon trying to stand up, he took a few steps, before falling to the ground in a heap.

The sight of South Africa’s greatest modern-day batsman lying spread-eagled on the ground had everyone standing to attention. And the fact that it was preceded by a roughing up from Australian rookie speedster Pat Cummins in the final Test at the Wanderers last month had many concerned.

But Pybus, who worked closely with Kallis at the Cobras over the past fortnight, believes a mountain is being made out of a mole hill.

“There’s nothing wrong with his globes (eyes),” Pybus told the Cape Times. “It has more to do with the amount of cricket Jacques has played this season. It has been a very stop-start season for the international players.

“Jacques has probably only played a couple of Twenty20s and one-dayers before the Tests, which have also been played on very sporty wickets. So, he hasn’t really had an opportunity to settle in, feel comfortable in his surroundings again, and that sometimes does affect the decision-making. It’s not his globes.”

Kallis forms part of a triumvirate of the world’s leading batsmen of the past 15 years, which also includes India’s Sachin Tendulkar and former Australian captain Ricky Ponting. Between the three of them, they have amassed a total of 39 875 Test runs, with Tendulkar leading the way on 15 183. Ponting has 12 656 and Kallis 12 036. They have also scored 130 Test centuries.

But while Tendulkar is still in fine form and is closing in on his 100th international hundred, Ponting is facing a battle to be selected for next week’s marquee Boxing Day Test against India at the MCG. He has not registered a three-figure score in over two years, and even his new coach, Mickey Arthur, could not confirm his long-term involvement with Australia.

Kallis is still far away from being in Ponting’s perilous position, especially after his colossal home series against India just 12 months ago. It was a series of utter domination for the all-rounder, with scores of 201 not out, 161 and 109. But Kallis has only managed a breezy 54 thus far this summer.

“For Jacques, it will never be a question of his technique or ability,” Pybus said. “It’s all about desire and hunger. Also conditioning. But we saw during the 1-Day Cup for us how Jacques was still bowling, getting the ball through at speeds in excess of 145 km/h. That proves there is nothing wrong with his conditioning.

“Again I say it’s about hunger and desire. That is the key, how long he still wants to keep going and what is his motivation. But like we’ve seen with Mark Boucher, these guys are still very hungry to play for South Africa.”

Kallis this week returns to Kingsmead, a previously happy hunting ground where he averages 52.31 in Tests. It is fractionally lower than his overall average of 56.71, but that is only due to a lean run of late that has seen him not score a century at the Durban venue since 2004.

It seems to be no coincidence then that the Proteas have failed to win three consecutive Tests at the coastal venue, which has also resulted in them not being able to close out a home series victory in their past four attempts. The opportunity beckons for both Kallis and South Africa to rectify this next week. – Cape Times