Kallis, Boucher and Nel takes a break

By Ilhaam Hoosain
07 December 2007

Jacques Kallis is content with not being picked for the Twenty20 cricket match against the West Indies in Port Elizabeth.

"It's an entirely different story from when he wasn't selected for the World Cup tournament," South African coach Mickey Arthur said on Thursday according to SABC news.

"This time there has been no interference and Jacques knows exactly why he won't be playing," said Arthur.

"There is nothing strange about his omission. The selectors simply felt that Jacques, Mark Boucher and André Nel need a break before we gather in Port Elizabeth on December 23 for the first Test.

He goes on to say that these three players' places are cemented for the Test and ODI series, and since this is the only reasonable break they will have over the next 18 months, they felt they should get away from cricket for a while and just go and relax.

"There really would have been no point in selecting Jacques for this T20 game. There are certain players we want to watch, which is why we picked some of the younger players.

"We would also like to see Dale Steyn bowling more with the new ball in different situations. Makhaya Ntini, we feel, also needs to bowl a spell of four overs and that is why he is playing," said Arthur.

He adds that Shaun Pollock did not play in the Tests, so he's getting some match practice.
Kallis resigned as vice-captain when he did not make the squad for the World Cup tournament.

Picture: www.news.bbc.co.uk