Big Bash League: Sydney Thunder sign Jacques Kallis

Jacques Kallis

Veteran South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis, who retired from Test cricket last December, has signed a two-year contract with the Big Bash League outfit Sydney Thunder.

“I will be playing against a few guys who I have played against most of my career, guys like Michael Hussey, now I am looking forward to play with these guys,” Kallis said.

Led by Australian captain Michael Clarke, the Thunder, one of the two Sydney-based teams, boasts of some big names in Eoin Morgan, David Warner and Tillakaratne Dilshan.

Welcoming the 38-year-old to the team, General Manager Nick Cummins said: “Signing a player of Jacques’ quality and experience is phenomenal news for Thunder fans.”

He added: “He is one of the greatest cricketers to have ever played the game and apart from his experience and leadership, he is still a brilliant all-rounder who will give the side a quality top-order batsman and versatile bowling option.

“Just having a player of his stature around the group will be great for our young players and he will bring big match temperament and a winning attitude to our squad.”

Technically up there with the best in the game, Kallis’ expertise in handling swing and bounce will come in handy for the Thunder at the top of the batting order. If he manages to deliver with the bat, the cushion he offers with his medium pace bowling will prove to be an asset for the team.

To get the maximum out of him, the Thunder think-tank should make sure he opens the batting, thereby helping him make use of the fielding restrictions and get off to a quick start. This will make sure even if he doesn’t get going in the middle overs, one of his major drawbacks as a T20 batsman, it won’t hurt the team much.

Kallis has scored 3673 runs and picked up 95 wickets in his 143 T20 matches so far. He represents Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League.