S A squad well prepared, Pathan a bowling all rounder: Kallis

Chennai, Mar 23 (UNI)South Africa's key all-rounder Jacque Kallis today said perfect preparations in the Bangladesh tour would put the Proteas in the right stead for the three Test series against India beginning with the first game here from March 26 to 30.

Addressing a press conference along with the left arm spinner in the squad Paul Harris at the M A Chidambaram stadium after the team's first work out at the nets, Kallis said ''it's a big challenge for the team to face India on its home turf after our good stint in Bangladesh.'' Kallis said the team would have to come good both mentally and in cricketing skills to face the strong Indian spin attack.

''We have a good pace attack. But we don't expect the ball to swing in the conditions here'', presently the no 1 all rounder in the game, said.

Asked if he thought that the number of all rounders in Test teams was dwindling, Kallis agreeing with the suggestion said the amount of cricket being played now, the work load was more.

''So, there is a great decline in the number of all rounders in Test cricket.'' ''It is sad to see this trend'', he said, adding however, ''we still try hard to get good results for the country.'' Asked if he thought that India's Irfan Pathan could blossom into a good all-rounder, Kallis said Pathan has been coming along very, good but he still has a lot of work to do.'' Kallis also observed that Pathan was more of ''bowling all rounder.'' ''But he has a bright future ahead in the India team'', More UNI SNR-VV RAR HT1910