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Cape Town – Jacques Kallis is highly likely to wrap up his illustrious cricket career with Twenty20 commitments abroad, rather than play any part in the Cape Cobras’ domestic activities this season.
The great all-rounder confirmed to Sport24 this week that there were no plans at this juncture for him to represent his long-time home franchise in 2014/15 when he might, in fact, run into them as opponents for Kolkata Knight Riders during next month’s T20 Champions League in India.
Kallis, as is traditional with all South African players also aligned to Indian Premier League teams, plays for his (defending champion) IPL side if the domestic team he represents also qualifies for the Champions League as the Cobras have done this year.
They and the South African RAM Slam T20 champions of 2013/14, the Dolphins, will represent this country at the tournament.
Kallis, 38, did play for the Cobras in the nail-biting Newlands final in February, when the Dolphins sneaked home despite his bowling performance of four for 26, raising some speculation that he might be available for them at times again in 2014/15 now that he is free of South Africa duty.
Speaking in his role as a guest personality for the Land Rover/DHL Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour at the “other” Newlands on Wednesday, Kallis said: "I don’t think I’ll be doing any (domestic cricket). I’ll make a decision a couple of months down the line; see how I’m feeling."
“At this stage, though, I probably won’t do it.”
Asked whether it had sunk in yet that he was now retired from all forms of cricket for the Proteas, he replied: “It has sunk in, and it’s magnificent ... the best decision I’ve made, and I’m happy I acted when I did.
“It’s nice to have got some time to myself, do the things I want to do and catch up with friends and family. From that point of view it’s been great; there are absolutely no regrets.
“I’ve still got Champions League coming up in a few weeks: I think I leave around September 10 or 11 for it. There’s IPL again, and Australian Big Bash for Sydney Thunder (he has signed for them on a two-year deal – Sport24). So there’s still plenty of non-international cricket to play in the next year or so.
“It would have been nice to have a final goodbye to the Newlands (faithful), but things just didn’t work out like that. Who knows, maybe you can’t rule out something, but we haven’t really sat down and thought about it yet.
“It’s not like I’ve completely finished with cricket at this point.”
*Follow our chief writer on Twitter: @RobHouwing
