South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis acknowledged on Wednesday that his dream of playing next year’s cricket World Cup was “a bridge too far”.
Kallis, 38, scored just five runs in three innings in a recent one-day international series in Sri Lanka.
“I just knew on that tour that I was done,” Kallis said. “The squad that was in Sri Lanka is an amazing one and I believe they have a good chance of bringing the trophy home in March.”
I just knew on that [ODI] tour [in Sri Lanka] that I was done. The squad that was in Sri Lanka is an amazing one and I believe they have a good chance of bringing the trophy home in March
It always seemed a long shot for Kallis to remain competitive through to the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand next February and March.
He surprised many when he announced on Christmas Day last year that he was retiring from test cricket after the second and final test against India, starting in Durban the next day.
He went out on a high, scoring a century that helped South Africa win the match and the series.
He said at the time that his one remaining ambition – having helped South Africa to the number one ranking in tests, including series wins in both England and Australia – was to be part of a World Cup-winning side.