It’s been one big fun experience,says the man with the famous,toothy smile

Even Kallis,that Atlas-like figure,the man with the poker-face,had failed to hide his emotions as his teammates carried him around Kingsmead.

There were no tears. It was a surprisingly jolly and upbeat Kallis that met the media for the final time as a South African Test cricketer.

“It was a tough call for me. 18 years ago I was sitting there. Not much has changed. I’ve got a little older,got a little bit wiser,lost a little bit of hair,gained a little bit of hair. I really have been fortunate,” he said.

The end was low-key. Just like the announcement of his retirement-made public through a press release on the day before the Kingsmead Test.

Kallis said he wouldn’t have had it any other way. He scored 13,289 runs,took 292 wickets and snared 200 catches. But never did he scream out for attention. Never was Kallis in search of any publicity.

“I enjoyed not being in the media and getting on with the job and leave that up to a few guys who are more out there with their personalities. We came to an agreement (with the CSA). I could still play the last game. It gave people a chance to say goodbye,” explained Kallis.

Despite many conspiracy theories floating around here,he also insisted that the decision to retire had come about on his own accord.

losing the edge “I planned it with Graeme (Smith),Bouch (Mark Boucher). Totally my call,there were no outside influences. I just felt I lost that little bit of an edge,because mentally it is quite tough over the five days,” he said.

You just didn’t want to believe that even Kallis could lose his edge. It just didn’t seem possible.

Kallis also made a special mention of the symmetry regarding how he started his career in Durban back in 1995 and how it had ended here. “My favourite thing,was making my debut. Having my dad here for my debut,and my sister here for my last game was very special to me. It’s been one big fun experience,” he said.

Incidentally,having been the bulwark of South African cricket for close to two decades,it wasn’t surprising that the first question asked off Kallis was “What will we write about now?” to which he had replied by saying,“I am sure you will have plenty (to write),you could write about my golf!” The toothy grin in its full glory.