Kallis unfazed by spin twins

Proteas' talisman confident ahead of India test

By Joe Drabble   Last updated: 24th March 2008

South Africa Jaques Kallis appealing for wicket against Bangladesh

Kallis: Confident

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South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis believes the Test series against India is the perfect opportunity for he and his team mates to prove their competence against spin bowling.

The Proteas return to the sub-continent fresh from their whitewash Test and one-day series win in spinner-friendly conditions over Bangladesh.

Now Graeme Smith's men are set for a bigger challenge against the likes of Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh in the three-Test series which begins in Chennai on Wednesday.

Kallis insists his side are more than capable of dealing with the variation the India bowling attack provides, and revealed he is relishing the prospect of the challenge ahead.

"We've made a lot of trips to the sub-continent, which has helped us improve on playing spin," he told The Hindu.

"The myth that South Africans cannot play spin doesn't exist anymore.

Surprised

"The conditions will pretty much favour the spinners. Even if they do favour swing, we've grown up playing swing and seam bowling."

Kallis, who has more than 9000 runs and 200 wickets in both forms of the game, is surprised by India's performances recently - especially their Test win at Perth in Australia.

"It's been quite a surprise to see the Indian team perform so well against Australia, in conditions that were different from how they are here," said Kallis.

"It's been very good for them. They have the right mix of youth and experience.

"The side doesn't have too many weaknesses, and has plenty of experience - India are a tough side and a tough place to tour.

"We have to play good cricket but we're confident - both teams have done well and it will be an unbelievable series."

The series will be the first in charge for new India coach Gary Kirsten, pitching him against the country he represented in 101 Tests.

Jaffer determined

One man with a point to prove for Kirsten's side is India opening batsmen Wasim Jaffer.

The 30-year-old is determined to bounce back after only mustering 49 runs in six innings' Down Under - axed from the fourth Test in Adelaide as a result.

"I'm hurt more than anyone by my failures in Australia no doubt, but then, a lot of people have failed there," said Jaffer.

"This is not an excuse, just a fact. I tried my level best but somehow things didn't work out, it wasn't for the lack of trying.

"But to doubt my credentials on the basis of three Tests is wrong. I scored a hundred in Cape Town against a very potent South African attack, and barring those three Tests (in Australia), I have been scoring.

"I'm hurt by the fact that after every series, people have asked questions of me. When you do well, you get praised like anything, when you don't, you face brickbats. But I can't let that get to me.

"Yes, I have disappointed myself a bit. But I believe everything happens for a reason.

"When I made my debut in 1999-2000, I was raw and inexperienced. I played early. Not everybody is Sachin Tendulkar, after all.

"I have learnt from that and am more experienced now."