Kallis given extended run as vice-captain

Jacques Kallis has been given an extended run as vice-captain of the South African team, till the end of the 2007 World Cup in West Indies. Gerald Majola, Chief Executive Officer of Cricket South Africa announced the news in Johannesburg today.

"Jacques accepted the vice-captaincy for an initial one-year period so that we could all see how this extra duty would affect his already heavy workload as one of the world's best allrounders", said Majola, as quoted in a press release. "This period ends this month, and thankfully Jacques has agreed to continue as vice-captain until after the next World Cup when we will review the position again."

Kallis, who played his 100th Test against New Zealand at Centurion, captained the side in the third Test against Australia at Johannesburg recently, filling in for the injured Graeme Smith. South Africa nearly pulled off a victory, and Kallis's leadership skills won the praise of Majola.

"His contribution as vice-captain has been enormous, and he was able to stand in comfortably when Graeme Smith was injured for the final Test against Australia, " he added. "Jacques has brought loads of playing experience to the job. Everybody is very pleased that he has agreed to carry on with Graeme, who has already been appointed captain until after the World Cup."