Jacques Kallis appointed as batting consultant to the Proteas

Cricket South Africa confirmed the appointment of Jacques Kallis as batting consultant to the Proteas on Wednesday 18 December.

Kallis was part of the technical team that began directing the Proteas training camp in Pretoria today (18 December) and has committed to his role for the duration of the 2019/20 summer season.

Kallis signs up for the summer

“Former Standard Bank Proteas all-rounder, Jacques Kallis has been named as the team’s batting consultant for the duration of the summer,” a Cricket South Africa press release reads.

“He will join the squad for their camp starting in Pretoria today (Wednesday).

“Kallis boasts a combined 519 international matches for South Africa with 25 534 runs and 577 wickets. He retired from all forms of international cricket in 2014 after amassing 62 international centuries – 45 Test and 17 ODI – averaging 55.37 and 44.36 in each format respectively.

“The South African team assembles today to begin preparation for a full home tour against England. The nearly nine-week affair will include a four-match Test, three-match ODI and three-match T20I series.”

The bulk of Kallis’ coaching experience has come from the Indian Premier League. Kallis was appointed head coach of Kolkata Knight Riders in October 2015 and directed the campaigns from 2016 until the 2019 season after which he was let go. 

CSA have yet to confirm that the Proteas will visit Pakistan in March but an invitation from their board is on the table. If that series does not take place, the Proteas 2019/20 season will end with a three-match ODI tour to India.

Charl Langeveldt has left his position as Bangladesh bowling coach with the BCB revealing that he has been approached to fill the bowling coach role. Langeveldt previously filled the same role between 2015 and 2017 before the appointment of Ottis Gibson as head coach.

CSA appear to have taken the advice of former England skipper and Sky cricket commentator Michael Vaughan.

In October Vaughan Tweeted: “This South African Test team is a real concern for the game. The game needs South Africa to be strong. Time for Boucher to take over. Also, why wouldn’t you use Graeme and Jacques in some capacity.”

Proteas Test squad

Faf du Plessis (Momentum Multiply Titans, capt), Temba Bavuma (Imperial Lions), Quinton de Kock (Momentum Multiply Titans), Dean Elgar (Momentum Multiply Titans), Beuran Hendricks (Imperial Lions), Keshav Maharaj (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Pieter Malan (World Sports Betting Cape Cobras), Aiden Markram (Momentum Multiply Titans), Zubayr Hamza (World Sports Betting Cape Cobras), Anrich Nortje (Warriors), Dane Paterson (World Sports Betting Cape Cobras), Andile Phehlukwayo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Vernon Philander (World Sports Betting Cape Cobras), Dwaine Pretorius (Imperial Lions), Kagiso Rabada (Imperial Lions), Rudi Second (Warriors), Rassie van der Dussen (Imperial Lions).