Why Jacques Kallis deserves more respect as a top cricketer

South Africa still has one of the most talent-laden cricketing countries in the world. The country has produced amazing players over the years, including Jacques Kallis. Australian cricket legend Ricky Ponting sees Kallis as an underrated player in the sport’s history.

While Kallis is a strong name in cricket history, he is often overlooked as one of the best players ever. Here are the reasons why he deserves to get more respect:

Superb batting credentials

Kallis stands tall as one of cricket’s greatest batsmen with an impressive record. He amassed over 13,000 runs in Test cricket, which makes him one of the best run-getters in the game’s history. That is the same with one-day internationals (ODIs), where he scored over 11,500 runs.

That proved he was a remarkably versatile player who was consistent across cricket formats. Few players have maintained balanced production across formats. Across the many pitches and formats, Kallis was excellent and made sure he was one of the most reliable batsmen of his generation.

Kallis was so good that he earned Ponting’s respect, even calling him the best cricketer ever. He said, ‘Jacques Kallis is the full stop for me. Thirteen thousand runs – 44 or 45 Test centuries and 300 wickets. He has had an amazing career. You can take 300 Test wickets, and you can score 45 Test centuries but to do both feats at the same time is amazing. Jacques has done both’.

All-round skills with bowling and fielding

Beyond the batting, Kallis was a talented all-rounder with contributions that were often decisive. He claimed over 250 wickets in Tests, as he operated well as a fourth seamer with the ability to swing the ball and maintain the pressure on the rival batsmen.

His bowling average highlighted his value, as he was more than a part-time option on that side of the game. Kallis could turn the match when called upon, as he completed many sharp catches, proving his all-around brilliance.

The combination of batting, bowling, and fielding made sure that South Africa was a formidable force. They had a complete cricketer in their ranks, and Kallis proved he was among the best.

Kallis remains unappreciated

Despite all the staggering achievements, Kallis is often overlooked in discussions about the greatest players in cricket’s history. With names like Ricky Ponting, Brian Lara, and Sachin Tendulkar becoming popular on a global scale, Kallis has become forgotten.

He was not the flashiest player, as he had a calm and workhorse-like approach. However, his contributions to South African cricket remain, and he proved he is deserving of more recognition than he has received over the years after he retired in 2014.

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Bethell to lead England as the youngest captain against Ireland

Jacob Bethell will captain England in the T20 series against Ireland, becoming the youngest man to lead the side at 21 years old. He stepped in with Harry Brook rested, taking charge in the first of three matches in Malahide, just north of Dublin. The role marks a quick rise for Bethell, who only made his England debut last year in September.

Bethell said he was surprised when Brendon McCullum called to tell him he would be the skipper. He noted that no clear reason was given, but he believes it shows trust from the staff. He also said he looks forward to handling the pressure of fast-paced games and hopes to guide the squad with calm, effective man-management.

Furthermore, he has experience as captain of the England Under-19s and scored his first professional century last month. Ireland, missing Josh Little through injury, still poses threats with Harry Tector and Paul Stirling. The series begins on Wednesday, September 17.

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Liam Livingstone ‘wrongly dismissed’, Lancashire expresses dismay

Lancashire have openly expressed that they are unhappy about Liam Livingstone’s dismissal during their T20 Blast semi-final against Somerset. Livingstone was given out lbw while on 29 runs. He quickly requested a review because he thought he had hit the ball.

After looking at the replays and using UltraEdge, TV umpire Sue Redfern decided there was no contact with the bat. At that point, Lancashire were 102 for 3 and still chasing strongly. After Livingstone’s dismissal, the rest of the team fell and lost seven wickets for just 57 runs.

On top of these hurdles, they’re also suffering performance-wise as six key players are still not back with them. The absentees include Jos Buttler, Phil Salt, Saqib Mahmood, and Luke Wood.

Though frustrated, the team urged the fans to refrain from speaking sexist comments against Redfern. ‘Such behaviour is unacceptable, does not reflect the values of our club or the wider Red Rose family, and has no place in the game,’ the team said in a statement from their official X account.

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Kuldeep leads as India defeats Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025

India’s spinners set the tone in Dubai, winning against Pakistan by seven wickets in the Asia Cup 2025. The chase ended with 25 balls to spare, a clear sign of control and pace.

Pakistan chose to bat, but Kuldeep Yadav struck hard. The left-arm wrist spinner ripped through key batters, taking 3-18 in four overs. Axar Patel gave strong support, holding a line with 2-18. Pakistan could only crawl to 127-9 in 20 overs.

For Kuldeep Yadav, this clash was a key moment. It added to his strong run in the tournament, following his match-winning spell against Oman in the opener.

Kuldeep spoke calmly, sharing how he shaped his game, saying, 'I just try to keep things simple and execute the plans I have.' He explained that he focuses on who’s at the crease, their strong shots, and how they score. This allows him to shift his line or pace. The 30-year-old's sharp play earned him Player of the Match.

Abhishek Sharma also lit the game up early, hammering 31 from 13 balls with four fours and two sixes. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav then held firm, striking an unbeaten 47 off 37. His calm touch steered India to 131-3 in 15.5 overs, sealing the win with ease.

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Litton Das leads Bangladesh past Hong Kong in Asia Cup

Bangladesh started their Asia Cup campaign with a strong win, seven wickets, over Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi.

Hong Kong batted first and reached 143-7 in 20 overs. Nizakat Khan scored 42 runs and tried to steady the innings, but Bangladesh’s bowlers never let them break free. Tanzim Hasan Sakib stood out with 2 for 21, while Taskin Ahmed and Rishad Hossain also took two wickets each.

Chasing 144, Bangladesh lost two early wickets, but Das kept his side on track. He hit 59 runs from 39 balls. With Towhid Hridoy, they built a 95-run stand for the third wicket.

The result gives Bangladesh a strong start in the tournament, showing both sharp bowling and steady batting. Hong Kong fought hard, with Nizakat their top scorer, but they could not match the power and skill of their rivals.

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Why Jacob Bethell’s T20I captaincy for England could be harmful

Jacob Bethell was handed the captaincy for England’s T20I series against Ireland in mid-September. That is big news since he is only 21, which would make him the youngest-ever captain across formats, a record that has stood for about 136 years. This is a massive achievement, but it could potentially be an issue that negatively affects his career.

Too much pressure for a 21-year-old

Bethell is a highly rated prospect, as many see him as a talented batter. It seems like he is also a gifted leader, as the national team setup sees him as worthy of being a captain. Unfortunately, this could be too early, as he would become the youngest captain in history.

That could be an issue for some people, as they do not rate his ascent. He will be the youngest captain in the team’s history, which led to critics pointing out some of their worries. This includes former England captain Michael Atherton, who is not a fan of the decision.

Atherton said in The Times, ‘The captaincy is a red herring, though. Ben Stokes and Harry Brook are going nowhere and if this experience is part of long-term planning, then fair enough — although they have to be careful that Bethell doesn’t start to wonder what he has done to deserve the keys to the entire kingdom’.

The concerns behind his lack of experience

A big concern that people have is Bethell’s lack of experience playing at the highest level of cricket. Compared to his England teammates, he does not have the experience of playing against the best teams in the world.

People are also concerned about the pressure he is under, as leadership is a heavy role. It is an honour, but it could also be a burden. As a former captain, Atherton’s thoughts on the situation matter as he has experience within the same role.

At the age of 21, Bethell already has a bright future. However, the captaincy role might become a burden too heavy to carry. He is ready for his new role as captain. While it may seem concerning, he appears prepared for the new challenges.

England still has many top captains

With leaders like Ben Stokes and Harry Brook still available, many people found it peculiar that Bethell is the choice. This could mean England is building towards the future, as they need a readymade leader like Bethell moving forward.

This will be a huge challenge, but the English decision-makers are committed to giving Bethell an opportunity as a leader. He has the talent to become a top player, but his leadership will be tested, especially with a team filled with older players.

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Rain hits on day three, Surrey stay ahead in County Clash

Rain spoiled day three at The Oval, with only 21.1 overs possible in Surrey’s match against Warwickshire. Despite limited play, Surrey added 95 runs to reach 276-2 in their second innings, taking a lead of 274.

Ben Foakes starred with 41 not out from 66 balls, hitting six fours. Dan Lawrence stayed unbeaten on 29 from 36 balls, with a six and three fours. Ollie Pope also shone, moving from 56 overnight to 78 before being bowled by Michael Booth. Dom Sibley retired hurt on 64 due to a groin issue.

Surrey, nine points clear of Nottinghamshire, aim for a fourth straight County title. With Notts chasing 136 at New Road, Surrey know a win here is key. The rain-hit day ended at 17:25, leaving Surrey set to score more runs and try to bowl out Warwickshire on the final day.

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Afghanistan bounce back with a big win over Hong Kong

Afghanistan hit back fast in the Asia Cup after a tough loss to Pakistan in the tri-series final. They faced Hong Kong less than 48 hours later. Pakistan had five days to rest, but Afghanistan had to shake off defeat quickly. Any slip could have ended their run early in a group with Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

The beginning was tense. Just four balls in, Sediqullah Atal edged a Shukla delivery to slip. It echoed Afghanistan’s collapse, bowled out for 66 in their last game.

Luck shifted when captain Yasim Murtaza dropped a key catch, letting Atal seize control. He stayed unbeaten on 73 off 52 balls, driving Afghanistan to 188, with 34 runs above the ground’s usual first-innings mark.

Coach Jonathan Trott called the match pivotal, noting the team’s mixed play and some luck with dropped catches. He saw the win as positive amid a hectic schedule but stressed the team still fell short of its potential. Afghanistan now aims to sharpen their game for the remaining group matches.

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Somerset faces weather challenges as Kohler-Cadmore hits 76

Somerset’s match against Yorkshire in a County Championship Division One cricket match at Taunton ended early after heavy rain forced players off the field. The storm hit in the afternoon, and only 42 overs occurred on the opening day.

Earlier in the day, Yorkshire won the toss and bowled first. George Hill struck twice in the first ten overs. He removed Archie Vaughan for 10 and bowled Tom Lammonby to leave Somerset at 20 for 2.

Tom Kohler-Cadmore led the fightback. He scored 76 runs from 110 balls, hitting 11 fours and two sixes. Meanwhile, James Rew gave steady support with 54 not out. The pair lifted Somerset to 155 for 3.

Jordan Thompson ended Kohler-Cadmore’s innings when he forced an edge to Hill at first slip. Tom Abell joined Rew but added only eight runs before the storm returned and halted play.

Somerset hopes for better weather so they can continue their fight in this crucial match.

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England thrash South Africa by 342 runs in ODI

England smashed South Africa on Sunday with a record win in the third one-day match at the Rose Bowl. The gap was 342 runs, the largest in one-day cricket. The result topped India’s 317-run win over Sri Lanka in 2023.

England, sent to bat first, stacked up 414-5 in 50 overs. Joe Root held the line with a steady 100. Young Jacob Bethell stole the show with 110 from 76 balls, his first ton.

His stand of 182 with Root drove the charge and made him England’s second-youngest one-day centurion after David Gower. Jos Buttler then struck hard, blasting 62 off 32 balls unbeaten, while Jamie Smith added a sharp 62.

Then, Jofra Archer ripped through South Africa’s top order with heat and bite, grabbing 4-18 in nine overs. The chase fell apart fast, as the visitors slumped to 7-4 and never found ground. They were skittled for 72 in just 20.5 overs. Brydon Carse and Adil Rashid wrapped it up, sharing five wickets to seal the rout.

Despite the heavy loss, South Africa had already won the series 2-1. Still, England’s huge win sent a bold note. The teams now turn to a three-match T20 run, starting September 10 in Cardiff. England will aim to ride their spark into the shorter game.

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