Kallis likely to play at Centurion

Jacques Kallis appears to be winning his fitness battle to play some part in the first Test against England although he remains extremely doubtful to bowl at Centurion Park. Kallis had another lengthy net on the final day of South Africa's camp in Potchefstroom and will now travel with the squad back to Johannesburg.

It seems likely that Kallis will take his place as a specialist batsman on Wednesday with South Africa shaping up to have a four-man attack. Dale Steyn bowled at full tilt on Sunday and barring any late reaction to his hamstring problem is ready to be unleashed on England's batsmen.

"The position is that everyone is on track to be fit for the Test," said a South Africa team spokesman. "Kallis has had two lengthy nets, yesterday and today, and will continue to build up as we get nearer the time. Dale is bowling full out and everyone else is where they should be."

The spokesman confirmed that Kallis hadn't bowled during the training camp, but couldn't elaborate on the chances of him playing as a full allrounder next week. However, team sources have indicated to Cricinfo that this remains a distant prospect.

Sunday was billed as d-day for Kallis, but given that he is due for another session in an oxygen chamber on Monday it was always unlikely that South Africa would have made a drastic decision three days out from the Test, unless he had broken down again in Potchefstroom. Also, heading into such an important series, there is the possibility of some mind games over what role Kallis will play. South Africa don't need to give England any extra boost by putting out too many negative ideas.

While Steyn's recovery is also crucial for South Africa, the most eye-catching bowling effort during the two days of skills practice was that of Morne Morkel who extracted considerable bounce from a centre-wicket session. A recall for Morkel, who was dropped for South Africa's last Test against Australia in March, would keep Wayne Parnell out of the final XI.

When Morkel was brought back for the one-day series he made life uncomfortable for a number of England batsmen, notably Andrew Strauss when he came round the wicket at the England captain. There have been questions asked recently about the potency of South Africa's attack, with Steyn having had a dip in form and Makhaya Ntini's productivity decreasing, so Morkel will be needed to add another edge. Paul Harris, the left-arm spinner and fourth member of the probable four-man unit, can expect an increased workload if Kallis is unable to bowl.

Both teams have lingering injury concerns heading into Centurion with England keeping close tabs on James Anderson's knee after his workout in East London. It isn't an ideal way for teams to prepare and the final answer on both fronts probably won't be 100% clear until Wednesday morning.