We have to work hard: Kallis

The Proteas mindset will not be clouded by the Reliance ICC No.1 Test ranking as they head into the battle for the ICC Test Mace against Australia starting at the Gabba in Brisbane on Friday.

South Africa enters the series as favourites in the long-standing rivalry, but are aware that past success in Australia counts for nil in the three-match series.

"It does feel slightly different coming to Australia as No. 1 because you come with that at the back of your mind," Jacques Kallis, a veteran of multiple clashes with Australia, said on Wednesday afternoon. "But we also come in the knowledge of how hard we had to work to get that success and I don't see any reason why we can't get ourselves into position to win again."

Kallis is on his fifth Australian trip with the Proteas and he averages 45.75 in 12 Tests ?down under'. Gary Kirsten referred to him as "gold dust" on Tuesday, rightly so as Ricky Ponting revealed he would be their most crucial wicket with the ball. His batting record ? excluding his bowling and fielding contributions ? stands out as one of the greatest, but he feels the Proteas success with the bat rides on the collective form of the batting unit, rather than single performers.

"As a batting unit we have been firing well, it comes down to the guys wanting it, wanting to perform and bat as a group. I know the guys are hungry to do well here, we set ourselves high standards in the UK and hopefully we can continue with those high standards that we set for ourselves."

Kallis' personal standards are highlighted by his outstanding performances over the years, as his name remains synonymous with achievements of greats such as Graeme Pollock and Sir Garry Sobers.

"It's an honour to be compared to those guys but I have never been one that has played the game worrying about those things," Kallis humbly said. "I love playing the game of cricket for whatever team I play for and I love winning games of cricket. That is what gives me the most satisfaction rather than stats or comparisons."

He has recovered from the chest infection he suffered from last week, and has urged his colleagues of "eleven match winners" to stay true to their skills. He is the only player in the current squad to have played first-class cricket at the Gabba (he made 186 there for Western Province), and the Proteas will be looking for the first Test victory by an away team at the venue since the 1988 West Indian team captained by Sir Viv Richards.