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Jacques Kallis showcased his all-round abilities with bat and ball to lead the Bangalore Royal Challengers to an overwhelming nine-wicket win in their Champions League Twenty20 opener against Guyana here.
The 34-year-old took three for 16 to help dismiss the South Americans for 103 before guiding his team home with an unbeaten 43.
Excerpts from the press conference
On the nine-wicket win
Yeah, it was a perfect day for us. We had some really good preparation coming into the match. We had a good net facility. Our guys have had a week or so of preparation. We just needed to put in some really good, solid performance tonight which we did. We did well in all the departments of the game.
On the margin of victory
No, but that does happens on occasions in Twenty20 cricket. Not often but we really played a superb game of cricket. We stuck to our basics pretty well. I think every guy just stuck to their job and did it.
On coming back after a break
Yeah, it was an amazing break for almost two months. Yeah, a couple of weeks off and then the training, it is nice to be back and fit. It was nice to start off the season on a winning note. I had some back problem and it was not easy to bowl and bat but here it was nice to put some balls in the right areas. At the start of the season you need to get back to the basics and that is what I have tried and it turned out well. Also with the bat, it was important to get some runs especially with the ICC World Cup round the corner. Hopefully, that will continue.
On working hard on his Twenty20 game
I have really worked hard on my Twenty20 cricket. A couple of years ago they had criticised me for my play in the T20s. I have worked really hard with Duncan Fletcher and I think I have really improved in this format of the game. Obviously, it is consistency and playing with aggression - a combination of these two makes you a successful cricketer. I really enjoy this format and I am going from strength to strength.
On electing to bowl first at Centurion
No, I don’t think [it was an unwise decision]. It is probably our strength. We have got some big-hitters down the order. We have a solid base on the top and believe that we can chase down anything. We had a lot of South African guys in the team and we told the team that it was tough to defend at the Centurion and we need to chase.
On having two old war-horses in him and Rahul Dravid opening the innings
Yeah, look it is [good] for any format of the game. You need experience at the top. You also need some youngsters coming in as well. It is a blend of experience and youth. I believe if you can play Test cricket then you can play any format of the game. There have been other guys too - the Matthew Haydens and the Adam Gilchrists have been successful at this format too. I think that theory is gone out of the window now. The best players have nothing to do with age.
On knowing the local conditions well
It makes a huge difference. We [Dale Steyn and I] know the conditions pretty well. But having said that a lot of Indian players have played here before during the Indian Premier League Season 2 and they do know the conditions - perhaps we have a little bit more information than them. I think those are the little things you need to help you win a tournament like this.
On the change in technique for T20s
I am giving myself a little more space while making shots. It has been going well for me and from the mental point of view it is tough to be consistent here and you will probably have to take a few more risks here. Once you get it over that battle it makes it easier. Having said that it is no doubt a tough format of the game.
On the full houses at the Champions League Twenty20
It does make a huge difference. There is a lot of Indian population in South Africa so they are likely to be behind the Indian teams. And then there are a few South African players in our side too. The crowds have been magnificent till now.
The 34-year-old took three for 16 to help dismiss the South Americans for 103 before guiding his team home with an unbeaten 43.
Excerpts from the press conference
On the nine-wicket win
Yeah, it was a perfect day for us. We had some really good preparation coming into the match. We had a good net facility. Our guys have had a week or so of preparation. We just needed to put in some really good, solid performance tonight which we did. We did well in all the departments of the game.
On the margin of victory
No, but that does happens on occasions in Twenty20 cricket. Not often but we really played a superb game of cricket. We stuck to our basics pretty well. I think every guy just stuck to their job and did it.
On coming back after a break
Yeah, it was an amazing break for almost two months. Yeah, a couple of weeks off and then the training, it is nice to be back and fit. It was nice to start off the season on a winning note. I had some back problem and it was not easy to bowl and bat but here it was nice to put some balls in the right areas. At the start of the season you need to get back to the basics and that is what I have tried and it turned out well. Also with the bat, it was important to get some runs especially with the ICC World Cup round the corner. Hopefully, that will continue.
On working hard on his Twenty20 game
I have really worked hard on my Twenty20 cricket. A couple of years ago they had criticised me for my play in the T20s. I have worked really hard with Duncan Fletcher and I think I have really improved in this format of the game. Obviously, it is consistency and playing with aggression - a combination of these two makes you a successful cricketer. I really enjoy this format and I am going from strength to strength.
On electing to bowl first at Centurion
No, I don’t think [it was an unwise decision]. It is probably our strength. We have got some big-hitters down the order. We have a solid base on the top and believe that we can chase down anything. We had a lot of South African guys in the team and we told the team that it was tough to defend at the Centurion and we need to chase.
On having two old war-horses in him and Rahul Dravid opening the innings
Yeah, look it is [good] for any format of the game. You need experience at the top. You also need some youngsters coming in as well. It is a blend of experience and youth. I believe if you can play Test cricket then you can play any format of the game. There have been other guys too - the Matthew Haydens and the Adam Gilchrists have been successful at this format too. I think that theory is gone out of the window now. The best players have nothing to do with age.
On knowing the local conditions well
It makes a huge difference. We [Dale Steyn and I] know the conditions pretty well. But having said that a lot of Indian players have played here before during the Indian Premier League Season 2 and they do know the conditions - perhaps we have a little bit more information than them. I think those are the little things you need to help you win a tournament like this.
On the change in technique for T20s
I am giving myself a little more space while making shots. It has been going well for me and from the mental point of view it is tough to be consistent here and you will probably have to take a few more risks here. Once you get it over that battle it makes it easier. Having said that it is no doubt a tough format of the game.
On the full houses at the Champions League Twenty20
It does make a huge difference. There is a lot of Indian population in South Africa so they are likely to be behind the Indian teams. And then there are a few South African players in our side too. The crowds have been magnificent till now.
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