Confident about Narine getting ICC Clearance: Kallis

Jaques-Kallis
Kolkata Knight Riders new coach Jaques Kallis briefing the media at Eden Gardens. Image Source: Xtra Time

Internet Desk: West Indian mystery bowler Sunil Narine’s availability in IPL 9 is under cloud covers. Narine who is now in his hometown Trinidad to attend his father’s funeral has still not got the clearance from ICC to bowl again. But newly appointed Knight Riders coach Jaques Kallis is quite confident of Narine obtaining the clearance . “He has done a lot of work. We haven’t got official verdict from the ICC yet but hopefully it will come back positive. I’m pretty sure of it,” said Kallis.

The Knight Riders management is in no hurry to fly him to Kolkata as he is still under mental shock after the sad demise of his father. According to Kallis, “We are certainly not putting any pressure on him to get back. It’s something that I’ve been through. I know how tough a time it is. When he’s right and he feels he’s ready to play cricket he will come to us.”

The former South African all rounder will be seen in a new role for the two time IPL champions. Kallis , was appointed as the coach of the Knight Riders following Trevor Bayliss joining England side. Kallis is quite enjoying the role of the coach and see it as a challenge to guide the team to success.

“It started last season when I was a batting consultant and then Trevor got the English job, it gave me an opening. Venky (Mysore) and the guys at the KKR asked me to take up the role. I’ve been involved with KKR for six years now. I know the set up pretty well. It’s a new and exciting challenge, something I do enjoy to help the guys. I see it as a natural progression from being batting consultant to taking over and keeping the consistency in KKR. ” He further added that he will take a similar approach as Bayliss

“My coaching style would be similar to what his was. There’s an old saying if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Certainly, I will be sticking to that theory.Fortunately I worked as a player and then a filler coach so got to know what works with the guys, most of whom are pretty much the same. Like I say I would not be changing too much but a couple of things to add to my own identity. As a whole I don’t think changing things too much.”

Kallis made it clear that he is not someone who likes to think about the past. “We were one game away from making the playoff but that’s the nature of the Twenty20. You need a bit of luck along the way. Perhaps we lost one or two games that we should not have. Hopefully we continue to play some good cricket this season and continue the momentum of the last few seasons. I see no reason why we can’t make the playoffs. We have certainly have got the side for it. We have to play some good cricket at the right time.”

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Gautam Gambhir with Jaques Kallis during a practice match at Eden Gardens. Image Source: Xtra Time

Speaking on KKR captain Gautam Gambhir, who had a long layoff from the domestic season , Kallis said, “We have had a lot of practice so far. The guys are hitting it well. Sometime coming in fresh and after a break is good. You have a good break away and come back fresh. I see it as a positive. It’s certainly very positive and hopefully we will have a good season with him leading us from the front. All the guys are hitting well at the moment. I’m really impressed with the form they’ve shown. I hope exciting times are ahead.”

There has been a lot of criticism in the past on the slow nature of Eden strip. The newly appointed Knight Riders coach is hopeful that the wicket will be a sporting one.

“ It’s used in World Twenty20. I don’t think it’s changed much. There has been a lot of cricket here and that’s the nature of the wicket. We got to read the wicket and play to our strength. Spin bowling has been our strength in the past. Our batters know how to play on our wickets. We will surely have a home advantage.”

Colin-Munro
The Knights at the Eden Gardens – From left – Jason Holder,Shakib al Hasan, Colin Munro and John Hastings . Image Source: Xtra Time

The Knight Riders have a well balanced team this season, packed with a lot of all rounder. With Colin Munro, John Hastings and Jason Holder joining the Knight Riders, it look to be a formidable side on paper.

“We’re a very well balanced unit we have some great options. It will make selection tough. It’s rather have that situation than not knowing who to pick. We have some new faces to give some more options. It’s going to be an exciting season, we’re looking forward to it,” signed off Kallis

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South African adventurer Mike Horne with the Knight Riders cricketers at Eden Gardens. Image Source: Xtra Time

Mike Horn, the South Africa-born adventurer who famously inspired the Indian team during their successful 2011 World Cup campaign, has joined Kolkata Knight Riders for a short stint ahead of the IPL season. Horne was also a part of the IPL winning KKR side couple of seasons back.