Cricket: Kallis' formula for success

By RICHARD BOOCK

Graeme Smith believes his side's most prolific batsman has unravelled one of the most complex mysteries in top-flight sport, and is now walking the path to greatness.

The South African skipper emphasised yesterday that the phenomenal scoring sequence of Jacques Kallis had nothing to do with luck or coincidence, but was a result of the right-hander discovering the formula to everlasting success.

Kallis on Sunday became just the second player to score centuries in five consecutive tests, and will match Sir Donald Bradman's record of six if he manages to post another in the second test, which starts this morning at Eden Park.

Smith believes that Kallis has not only discovered how to find "the zone" - that trance-like state where the body is almost on auto-pilot - but has worked out how to return to it game after game.

"You know, Jacques has reached that point where he's obviously very confident and believes in himself, especially at the moment," Smith said.

"He's just worked it out; he's worked how to re-enact that same mental attitude day in and day out; that key that we are all searching for in our own games.

"He's found it and it's working very well for him."

Kallis' record-in-the-making is one of three major South African milestones that could be achieved at Eden Park, something Smith said was proving inspirational for his team.

Apart from Kallis' scoring sequence, veteran batsman Gary Kirsten will become the first South African to play 100 tests and Shaun Pollock requires just one more wicket to become the most successful South African bowler.

"It definitely is a motivation," Smith said. "We've got some outstanding cricketers who have been around for a long time, and as a team we grow in confidence with every record and milestone collected.

"The senior players, Shaun, Jakes, Gazza, set the tone for the team and I think all of us are really proud of all their achievements; it acts as an inspiration for everyone."

Kirsten's 100th test, and the fact that he will retire from international cricket at the end of next week's series finale at Wellington, will make his entrance on to Eden Park all the more poignant this week.

He is easily South Africa's leading run-scorer, and his century against New Zealand in the first test at Hamilton was his 21st.

"You can never just replace a Gary Kirsten ... we appreciate that," Smith said. 'He's a special cricketer.

"He's been around for a long time, he's performed well around the world, and he carries a wealth of experience."