Kallis: India too hot for seaming all-rounders

Cricket365
August 17, 2015

Former South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis is of the opinion that Indian conditions are not conducive to producing a high-quality fast bowling all-rounder, because it's too hot to focus on both skill sets.

Kallis, who took 292 Test wickets and scored more that 13 000 Test runs, feels that the energy it takes to bowl for long periods in Tests in India, means the players won't be able to bat for significant lengths, and vice versa.

Kallis, a veteran of Indian conditions, both with the Proteas and in the IPL, told PTI: "It is difficult to produce seam bowling all-rounders in Indian conditions.

"I have toured India enough to have an idea about the conditions over there. The pitches there are certainly not seamer-friendly.

"The heat and humidity is an impediment towards producing a cricketer who can focus equally on both skill sets.

"For an all-rounder, it is very important to know one's body and manage himself accordingly. In sub-continental conditions, while putting equal effort on both aspects of the game day in and day out can take a toll on one's body.

"Then the cricketer has to decide as to which area, batting or bowling, is more important to him."

India have struggled in recent years to find a paceman who can contribute heavily with the bat, and while Stuart Binny is considered an all-rounder, he has not been given many chances. Bhuvneshwar Kumar can also do well with the bat, but comes in low down as he's an opening bowler.