South African seamer Vernon Philander was at his relentless best as he helped himself to devastating figures of 5-7 from six overs against hapless New Zealand on the opening morning of the first Test, according to Rob Key.
Serious
Philander's firepower was supplemented by Morne Morkel (3-14) and Dale Steyn, who bagged a brace to match New Zealand legend Sir Richard Hadlee and West Indies seam-master Malcom Marshall by reaching the 300 wicket mark in only his 61st Test.
Only two bowlers have achieved the feat in fewer Tests - Australian paceman Dennis Lillee (56) and Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muraliatharan (58).
"Steyn bowls faster than Hadlee but he's got to that figure at the same speed - and the same as Malcom Marshall as well, who was a lovely bowler," said Coney.
"Steyn is a serious, serious bowler and he's now got the ability - as the West Indies used to have - of suddenly taking an opportunity in the game and suddenly the game shifts up a couple of cogs as well."
Kallis, 37, completed a near-perfect day for South Africa by taking his overall Test run tally past 13,000 in his 159th Test as the home side built a commanding first-innings lead.
The all-rounder - who has also taken 282 Test wickets - has now racked up 13,040 runs at an average of 56.94 with 44 tons and 57 fifties to his name. Only India's Sachin Tendulkar (15,645 runs and 51 hundreds), Australia's Ricky Ponting (13,378 and 41) and Rahul Dravid (13,288 and 36), also of India, have scored more.
"Kallis is an exceptional cricketer," said Key, "and he deserves to be up there because he's one of the best."
Coney added: "He might be able to catch Tendulkar in terms of hundreds - he needs to get seven more. He might just do that.
"I don't know how many years he wants to keep playing; he seems to be durable. He's got 282 Test wickets in addition to that. None of those three ahead of him have got figures like that and he's not a bad catcher either; he's a pretty accurate slipper."
