Inspirational Kallis shocks Volts

Jacques Kallis stroked a fluent unbeaten half-century to help Bangalore to a total that proved far too much for Otago Volts

Buy this photo

Jacques Kallis struck a superb unbeaten half-century and took three wickets as Royal Challengers Bangalore put paid to Otago Volts’ ambitions in the Champions League Twenty20.

Kallis struck 73 not out off 59 deliveries while fellow opener Robin Uthappa 42 off 31 as the pair laid a solid foundation at the top of the order for a total of 188 for two.

Kallis, who then shared the new ball with Praveen Kumar, helped himself to three wickets in an outstanding spell to leave the New Zealand side in disarray.

Captain Anil Kumble claimed 2-20 as the Challengers secured their place in the second round by skittling out Otago for 108 in 17.5 overs to hand them a one-sided 80-run victory.

Kallis’ fellow opener Uthappa provided the impetus in a pulsating start in dominating an opening stand worth 75 – the best in the tournament so far.

Uthappa hammered four boundaries and two sixes in a blazing innings and by the time he was dismissed by offering a catch to Craig Cumming at cover from a leading edge off the part-time leg spin of Aaron Redmond, the home side were well on track for a sizeable total.

While Kallis dropped anchor at the other end, Virat Kohli hit an entertaining 32 off 19 deliveries as Otago’s bowlers were hammered around the park.

The impressive Neil Wagner, who conceded 10 in his first two overs, picked up the wicket of Kohli in his third courtesy of a catch at long-off by Nathan McCullum.

Ross Taylor then launched a brutal attack, hitting three towering sixes and two fours in a delightful, unbeaten 32 from just 11 deliveries.

In between, Kallis picked up the pace after reaching his half-century, smashing two sixes as the Royal Challengers ended their innings in style.

A staggering 25 runs came off the final over, shared by Ian Butler and Warren McSkimming; the latter took over when Butler pulled up after three deliveries with a knee injury.

Kallis checked Otago's reply early on, removing Brendon McCullum and his opening partner Aaron Redmond in his second over.

McCullum failed to clear mid-on with a huge swipe that found Kumble, while Redmond was hurried into a pull and spooned a catch to Uthappa at cover.

South Africa all-rounder Kallis sent back Hamish Rutherford for 14 - Kumble took another simple chance at mid-off - in a rare wicket maiden to finish with figures of 3-18.

Kumble then snared Nathan McCullum and Butler as the Volts were steamrollered, their lower order offering little resistance as only two of the last six batsman made it into double figures.