28 February,2009 12:48 PM IST | | PTI
South Africa captain Graeme Smith has paid glowing tributes to teammate Jacques Kallis after the star all-rounder became just the eight batsman in the history of international cricket to join the elite club of 10,000 Test run makers.
By virtue of this feat, Kallis had also completed the double of 10,000 runs in both Test and one-Day cricket.
Kallis, who made 27 off 44 balls yesterday, completed the 12 runs he needed to reach 10,000 mark on a day which saw the Proteas reaching 85 for three in reply to Australia's 466 all out on the second day of the first Test at the Wanderers Cricket Stadium in Johannesburg.
"It has been a privilege and an honour to be part of this big moment for Jacques," Smith said today just before the start of the third day's play.
"It is a fantastic achievement and one that is thoroughly deserved. For a large part of his career he had to carry South Africa's batting and it is this longevity which is one of the signs of true greatness.
"If you add in his 250 wickets and his 100 plus catches, you get a good idea of what a giant of the game he has become," he added.
Kallis said it was a big moment in his career and probably one that he would appreciate better at the end of his career.
"I have had many ups and downs in my career, but the greatest thing for me has been the way this team has played over the last two years," he said.
"We are on the back foot at the moment but this team has the character and ability to fight its way back into this match."
To honour his feat, Kallis was presented with a Richie Ryall painting, depicting his skills as batsman, bowler and fielder.
