Kallis: 1999 is the one that got away

Proteas legend Jacques Kallis believes that the Proteas’ best chance to lift the World Cup trophy was in 1999.

Kallis very seldom gives interviews but when he does, people listen. Having represented the Proteas in five tournaments, no one knows the heartbreak of the Proteas’ misfortunes of past World Cups more than Kallis.

We all know the painful event that took place 20 years ago when the Proteas drew to Australia to miss out on the final. The game was infamous for the run-out between Allan Donald and Lance Klusener, but Kallis believes no one but the batsmen were to blame for the mishap.

READ: Klusener feels no guilt about 1999

‘That’s always going to be the one that got away from us. Tying with Australia to get knocked out was frustrating. We can’t blame anyone for that, the batters should have been in there chasing a total that was more than chasable.

‘The best cricket that we played throughout any of the World Cups was that one. To not make the final in that and not give ourselves a chance was really frustrating. Until we win one the people will always look back and say that’s the one that should’ve been ours.’

He went on to pick his favourites to make the knockout stages of this year’s World Cup.

’The three teams that stand out are probably Australia, England and India, and then I think it will be a dog fight for fourth spot and the rest of the sides and whoever takes the opportunity on the day or during the tournament.’

Kallis, considered South Africa’s greatest all-rounder, finished that tournament with 312 runs in eight matches with an average of 52. He also took eight wickets in the campaign.