South African Test captain Graeme Smith has dedicated their Test series win over India to retired all-rounder Jacques Kallis, saying that the team gave Kallis the send-off he deserved as all of them wanted the victory for him.
South Africa beat India by 10 wickets at Kingsmead in the second of a two-Test series, clinching the two-match series 1-0 after the first Test at the Wanderers was drawn, and it was the final Test for the 166-match veteran Kallis, who announced his Test retirement.
According to Sport24, Smith said that they wanted the victory as a fitting tribute to Kallis, although he added that the weather and the pitch made it difficult for them.
Despite Kallis, who scored a century in the first innings for a fairytale ending to his Test career, battling cramps near the end of his innings, Smith said that it was credit to Kallis' character that he was able to pull the team through to their big first innings total of 500.
As for a replacement for Kallis in the three upcoming Tests against Australia in February, Smith said it is better for them to face the fact that there could never be a straight replacement for the all-rounder given his 13 000 runs, almost 300 wickets and 200 catches, and the type of personality and experience he brings to the team.
