Kallis: I knew it was time

Durban - Playing with the grace and poise many players wish to possess at their peak, Jacques Kallis said he knew it was time to call it a day.

GALLERY: Jacques Kallis in pictures

Kallis ended his 166-Test career on Monday with a match and a 1-0 series victory over India, in which he contributed a vital knock of 115.

“It was a tough call for me,” said Kallis in Durban following the Proteas 10-wicket win.

“18 years ago, I was sitting there in the changeroom, and not much has changed."

Kallis, who started and ended his Test career at Kingsmead, said his decision to stop playing Test cricket was purely a mental one.

“I just felt I lost that little bit of an edge, because mentally it is quite tough over the five days. If I cant give 100 percent, I don't want to be bringing a team down.

“I had 18 wonderful years. I woke up and said it is time. I am 100 percent convinced that it is.”

It was a fairytale ending to a career which spanned three decades.

“When I started playing, I said I wanted to leave cricket in a better state than when I joined it and hopefully I've done that.”

Kallis said he could still recall his debut Test back in 1995, and how uncertain he felt about his future at the time.

“That first Test match I played here, I was a nervous little kid.

“At that stage, you don't know much about the game or your own game. Even in garden cricket with my sister, I dreamt of playing for SA.

“To play 166 Test matches, I don't think anyone ever dreams of that. I am thankful for every game I played, right up until the last one. I always gave everything I had.”

Kallis was never outspoken during his career, but with his performances he was forced into the limelight. With 45 Test centuries and 58 half-centuries at an average of over 55, he was the rock in the middle order of South African cricket.

“I’ve always been one that's tried to lead from the front.

“I've never been one to shout my mouth off, I just tried to get the job done. I tried to quietly pass on the knowledge that I have.

“I’ve always believed you play the game hard on the field without crossing boundaries.”

He ended his career as the third-highest leading run-scorer in Test cricket with 13289 runs, with an average of 55.37, higher than both Sachin Tendulkar (53.78) and Ricky Ponting (51.85) who were ahead of him on the runs-scored list with 15921 and 13378 respectively.

Kallis, though, said statistics were never his motivation.

“I've never played the game for records and stats.

“I've always tried to make the best calls and play the situation. Records have never been important to me.

“Maybe one day when I am finished, I'll have a look back. I'm proud of what I achieved - 10,000-plus runs - it's something I'm very proud of.”

Though, undoubtedly, Kallis will have far more free time, he said his focus still lay on the 2015 ICC World Cup in the 50-over format.

“It will be nice concentrating a whole year on one-day stuff and not worry about Test match technique.

“We will manage the workload. I would like to play in most of the one-day cricket.

“I'll just try to become the best player I can. I'll play some T20s, to make sure I keep playing. By the time the world cup comes -- if I am good enough and selected - hopefully I will be playing best one-day cricket of my life.”