After T20 snub, Kallis quits as deputy

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New Delhi: South African cricket was shook up after their leading all-rounder Jacques Kallis resigned as vice-captain.

Kallis has resigned after he was left out of the 15-man squad for the Twenty20 World Cup to be played in South Africa in September.

The selectors justified his omission by saying that Kallis was rested, but the all-rounder wasn't convinced.

Kallis said that he as very excited about playing the tournament and felt he could make a huge contribution.

Although the 31-year-old has ruled out retirement from the game yet, there is now speculation about his future in South African colours.

"I have resigned as vice-captain and I'm considering my options with regard to the rest of my career," Kallis told South African daily Mercury.

"I have been thinking long and hard over the weekend and there is still a lot of emotion involved because I am extremely disappointed," he added.

The ICC's top-ranked all-rounder Kallis, who has played 107 Tests and 261 one-day internationals for South Africa so far, was left out of the 15-member squad announced last week.

"I was very excited about the tournament and hoping to make a huge contribution. I feel I have a lot of good cricket left and my best years might even be ahead of me. Ideally, I would like to play many more years for my country but this weekend caused me to question my future for the first time, he said.

(With inputs from PTI)