Jacques Kallis Came In And Said, 'Bowlers, You Did A Fantastic Job, Australia Is 15 Runs Short': Graeme Smith Recalls The Thrilling 434 Run Chase

Former South Africa captain Graeme Smith reflected on the incredible match against Australia, in which his team set a new record for the greatest run chase in one-day internationals. Jacques Kallis spoke in the dressing room to “break the ice” during the innings break, Smith revealed.

In Johannesburg, Herschelle Gibbs’ 175 runs surpassed Ricky Ponting’s 165 as the Proteas chased down 434 runs with one ball remaining.

Australia chose to bat first, and starters Adam Gilchrist and Simon Katich put up a 97-run partnership. After Ponting’s 105-ball 164, Michael Hussey (81 from 51 balls) and Andrew Symonds (27 off 13 deliveries) aided Australia in putting up a formidable score.

Smith was dismissed after hitting 90 runs in 55 balls, while Gibbs managed to score 175 runs in 111 balls, including 21 boundaries and seven sixes.

With contributions from AB de Villiers (14) and Jacques Kallis (20), the issue comes down to seven runs needed off Brett Lee’s final over.

South Africa clinched the game and the series 3-2 with a flighted shot over mid-on by Mark Boucher, who struck a quick fifty.

‘Jacques Kallis words broke the ice a little bit: Graeme Smith

Smith recalled how Jacques Kallis laughed in the dressing room after the batting break to “break the ice” in the high-octane encounter at the Wanderers Stadium.

“As a captain, you can understand I wasn’t feeling really good as I walked off the field after winning the toss and electing to bowl first.” We only had a few minutes to make a U-turn. ‘Let me pad up first because I’m hitting first.’

‘First, let me finish it.’ Smith told cricket.com, “It was about getting my headset to bat, and then we’ll get the team in the correct state of mind.”

“Jacques Kallis burst into the room, saying, “Bowlers, we’ve done a terrific job, and Australia is 15 runs short.” When the opponent got 434 scores, it (Kallis’ words) “broke the ice” so everyone came out laughing. We set some goals after that, and everyone laughed hysterically once more.”

In Johannesburg, Herschelle Gibbs’ 175 runs surpassed Ricky Ponting’s 165 as the Proteas chased down 434 runs with one ball remaining.

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