Impact Players - India/RSA ('99-'00 Series)

Name: Jacques Kallis

Series stats:

Batting:
Runs scored: 136
Average: 68
Highest score: 95 in 2nd Test at Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore.

Bowling:
Wickets: 5
Best figures: 3-30 in 1st Test at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.

Best performances:
Batting: 95 in 2nd Test at Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore.
Bowling: 3-30 in 1st Test at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.

Talismanic Kallis’ consistency makes it possible for the Proteas:

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A ton of credit goes to Kallis’ consistency for South Africa’s historic Test series win in 2000. It was the Proteas’ first Test series victory on Indian soil and Kallis played a major role with the bat and ball in the two matches. It was on this tour that the well-built South African established himself as a leading all-rounder in world cricket.

In the first Test at Mumbai, it was a low-scoring affair all the way. The visitors were set for a tricky target of 163 runs on a dusty day 3 Wankhede track. With spinners Kumble and debutant Murali Kartik in the opposition, South Africa would have never took this chase easily. The Proteas began well and looked well on course to hunt down the target but a sudden collapse had them struggling at 128-6. With the tourists still needing 35 runs, it was all left to the last recognized pair of Kallis and Boucher. The former looked unfazed by the crisis situation and never pushed the panic button. A match-winning 7th wicket partnership of 36 runs between the duo helped their nation go 1-0 up in the series.

Kallis played a determined unbeaten knock of 36 runs off 129 balls to take his side safely pass the 163-run mark. The Cape Town born all-rounder also chipped in with 3 wickets in the match. The action moved to Bangalore next with the Proteas looking to wrap up the series. India were bowled out for a cheap total of 158 runs giving South Africa the edge on day 1. The tourists took the advantage by piling on 479 runs. Jacques Kallis was the mainstay throughout the innings as he was involved in building crucial partnerships in the middle-order. He gelled with Cullinan and Klusener well to form partnerships of 85 and 164 runs respectively.

The talismanic Kallis played a well-defined knock of 95 runs and was eluded of his 7th Test ton after he was dismissed by Kumble. His patient knock came of as many as 359 balls with seven boundaries and two sixes to his credit. South Africa went on to win this Test by an innings and 71 runs. Kallis’ magnificent consistency with his all-round abilities earned him the Man of the Series award. He took five wickets while notching up 136 runs in 3 innings at a high average of 68.
 

Name: Nicky Boje

Series stats:

Bowling:
Wickets: 7
Best Figures: 5-83 in 2nd Test at Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore

Batting:
Runs scored: 99
Average: 49.50
Highest score: 85 in 2nd Test at Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore

Best Performances:
Batting: 85 in 2nd Test at Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
Bowling: 5-83 in 2nd Test at Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore

Boje spins it around for South Africa:

© AFP

Since South Africa’s return to the international cricket arena, Pat Symcox carried the bulk load of the spin department for seven long years. After his retirement, ODI specialist Nicky Boje was chosen as the number one spinner during the 2000 Test series against India. In his debut series, there was tremendous pressure on the left-arm finger spinner to deliver in a pace-dominated Proteas attack.

After least involvement with bat and ball in the Mumbai Test, it was high time for Boje to make an impact. The stage was perfectly set for the southpaw to spin his magic in the 2nd Test. He bowled brilliantly on day 1 of the Bangalore Test and chipped in with two wickets. Then came the big moment for Boje as he was promoted to bat at number 3 in a night watchman’s role after Gibbs was dismissed cheaply just before the end of day 1. On day 2, the talented left-hander dominated the proceeding in the morning session as he took the attack back to the Indian bowlers. He didn’t look in any sort of trouble against the likes of Kumble and Srinath.

Nicky Boje played an outstanding innings of 85 runs which came off 198 balls. His maiden Test fifty included 9 boundaries. His pivotal partnership of 161 runs with Kirsten for the 2nd wicket took the momentum and the game away from India. The left-arm spinner then converted the same confidence when he came out to bowl in the second innings. Boje persevered hard on the final two days on the Bangalore track and deservingly picked up his maiden five-wicket haul which included the prize scalps of Dravid and Ganguly. He finished with figure of 5-83 from 38 overs.

The Bloemfontein-born spinner earned his first Man of the Match award in Tests in just his second game. More importantly, Boje’s contribution was valuable in his nation winning the match and clinching the series 2-0. From that day onwards, Boje never looked back and continued spearheading the Proteas spin department in future matches.

 
- Rohan Tawde