Most satisfying knock: Kallis

Jacques Kallis rated his century here in the third Test as one of the most satisfying of his career.

“Given the state of the series, the conditions on Sunday, and then having to bat with the tail this day, it was most satisfying,” he said.

“That's why you play Test cricket, because you want to be tested against the best in trying conditions, and I was very happy to come through that. The lower-order batsmen showed a lot of guts; they deserve a lot of credit.”

Kallis also had to bat through injury. “When you face the ball your instincts take over, and you forget about it,” he said. “After the stroke your body reminds you of the pain.”

The injury — a contusion of the chest muscle, when he was hit by the ball, and its subsequent strain — could see him miss the first two ODIs, for the recovery will take approximately two weeks. He won't field, but will bat in South Africa's second innings.

Sreesanth was India's hero of the day, his third five-wicket haul giving the tourist the edge before Kallis swung the momentum.

“Hopefully the 50-odd runs they got for the last wicket won't change the course of the game,” he said. “Hopefully it won't bother us too much. But they batted well, they showed guts. It's also a good sign for our batsmen that batting is getting easier.”

Sreesanth said he began bowling better in South Africa after he stopped expecting too much. “I was expecting to get a five-for and I put a lot of pressure on myself in Centurion,” he said. “The difference now is I'm enjoying the game, not putting nay pressure on myself.”