Kallis powers Bangalore into second round

The Group C clash between Bangalore and Otago was of utmost importance. The winner would qualify for the second round of the Champions League, the loser would have to head home. The situation was ripe for someone from either team to rise to the occasion and it was Jacques Kallis who grabbed the opportunity. He delivered an all-round performance of tremendous force that secured his team's progress: his half-century was the bedrock of Bangalore's total of 188, and his spell of 3 for 18 destroyed Otago's chase.

Kallis shared a vital opening stand of 75 with Robin Uthappa. Although he wasn't the dominant batsman in the partnership, Kallis helped ensure Otago were denied an early breakthrough and laid a solid platform. He scored briskly and maintained momentum even after Uthappa fell. Kallis was the quieter partner during a second-wicket stand of 59 with Virat Kohli as well but he began to dominate after Kohli fell for a19-ball 32. Kallis attacked during the final overs, lofting Ian Butler and Neil Wagner over the long-off boundary. He finished unbeaten on 73, but he was only half done.

Kallis came to the fore once again during his opening spell - four overs on the trot - which accounted for Otago's top three batsmen. He struck a body blow in his second over when he foxed Brendon McCullum into holing out to mid-on. A ball later Kallis sent down a quick bouncer that had Aaron Redmond succumbing to cover. Kallis returned to snuff out Hamish Rutherford's innings with a slower ball and completed a maiden over as well. His outstanding figures of 3-1-6-3 were spoilt just a little by two boundaries in his final over but, by the time Kallis was finished with bat and ball, there was no way back for Otago. Fittingly it was Kallis who performed the final act, catching Wagner on the long-on boundary to spark of celebrations.