OTD: Jacques Kallis was born in 1975

It was on this day, October 16, that legendary South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis was born in 1975 in Pinelands, Cape Town, Cape Province, South Africa. Kallis was a right-handed batter and right-arm fast-medium bowler, capable of holding his own in both departments as a specialist.

As of 2025, Kallis is the only cricketer in the history of the game to score more than 10,000 runs and take over 250 wickets in both ODI and Test match cricket. 

Kallis made his South Africa Test debut against England in 1995 and ODI debut in 1996 against the same opponents. His T20I debut came in 2005 against New Zealand.

For nearly two decades, Kallis was South Africa’s broad-shouldered, unwavering, and mercilessly consistent giant, combining the productivity of a world-class top-order hitter with that of a frontline quick bowler.

Kallis’ rise began in earnest in his eighth Test, in Melbourne in 1997, when he scored a courageous last-day century over six hours against Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath to salvage the match. 

Kallis went on to score 13289 runs at a staggering average of 55.37 in 166 tests, including a whopping 45 centuries and remarkable 58 fifties, with the highest score of a mammoth 224. He also took 292 wickets at an average of 32.65, including five five-wicket hauls, with the best bowling figures of 6/54. Kallis also took 200 catches in Tests.

Kallis was named Leading Cricketer in the World in Wisden for his performances in 2007 in addition to being the “ICC Test Player of the Year” and ICC Player of the Year in 2005.

Coming to ODIs and T20Is, Kallis became undroppable as he played a pure third pacer in the South Africa XI for most of the 90s and 2000s. He was the player of the tournament at the 1998 Champions Trophy, which South Africa won.

Overall, Kallis made 11579 runs at an average of 44.36 in 328 ODIs, including 17 centuries and 86 fifties, with the highest score of 139. He also took 273 wickets at an economy of 4.84, with the best bowling figures of 5/30.

He was late to the T20I party, scoring 666 runs and taking 12 wickets in 25 T20Is for South Africa.

He was selected as a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 2013. He retired from Test and first-class cricket after appearing in the second Test against India in Durban in December 2013. He retired from all forms of international cricket on July 30, 2014. In August 2020, he was inducted into the International Cricket Hall of Fame.

Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

For more exclusive updates, visit BJSports to access Exclusive News that is only for you, incisive analysis, and updates, and to keep up with all of the latest information on your favorite remarkable cricket players and teams. To ensure you never miss out, join in on the fun right away!