Centurion, Dec 18:If scoring one's first century brings a batsman delight, then a maiden double ton surely must be a treat twice as tempting and enjoyable. And if the milestone is achieved by a player who?s one of the modern game's most proficient all-rounders, then the celebration is especially joyous.

Day 3 of the second Test against India brought much for the South African to cheer about. Not least was Jacques Kallis' special performance, one that finally promoted his name to the elite club of Test cricket?s double centurions.

142 Tests, 38 hundreds and over 11,000 runs into his career, Kallis arrived at the landmark with characteristic flair. Not long after he smashed 201 not out off 279 deliveries, South Africa declared their innings on 620/4.

Excerpts from a press conference with the man-of-the-moment, Jacques Kallis.

On getting his first Test double century

Yeah, it is nice to get that one off the back. I think people made more out of it than I did. It is something [that] when I look back, I will be really proud of. I am so relieved I won’t have to answer the question any more. I probably would have taken it against Bangladesh or Zimbabwe but I’m very proud to have done it against the No. 1 ranked India.

On whether the possibility of his first double ton played on his mind

I don’t think so. Like I said, it is probably more of the media and the fans, I would say. But I would say it was nice to get this one. I think probably I started thinking about it during lunch time. Those were the longest 40 minutes I had but it was nice to have all the support.

On the crowd reaction after he reached the 200-run mark

It certainly gave me goosebumps. It was incredible. It feels really proud to be a South African when you get standing ovations like that.

On the reaction of his teammates

They have been obviously behind me all the way. They wanted it as much as I did. So a big thank you to them too.

On what he said looking skywards after reaching the landmark

It would have been nice if my folks were here to watch it. Hopefully, they will be enjoying it from there.

On how he rates his double century

I think the first century is right up there. Obviously this one too is right up there. It is certainly a very special feeling. I have worked on a couple of shots and have tried to be a little more positive. I have worked hard with Duncan Fletcher and the hard work paid off.

On getting close to Ricky Ponting’s 39 Test centuries mark

I don’t think that stats are on the top of my list. You know winning Tests and matches for South Africa is far more important. Obviously to contribute in a big way by getting big hundreds is something which all batters try and do. Every time you go in you want to get to a hundred but winning the game is far too important.

On Hashim Amla and AB deVilliers

I think it was incredible. I think Hashim has been in unbelievable form this year. By far the player of the year. And AB took the pressure off me and the game away from India.

On the toll on his body after the marathon innings

There is a little bit [of strain] there. Our boys found that today when they bowled in the right areas. There is a little bit of encouragement but obviously it is still a good wicket. So there is a lot of hard work ahead of us.

On India’s fight-back

They are a good side. We didn’t expect them to sit down. They are going to come back hard at us tomorrow. We have to make sure that we are prepared. We want to be on the top and keep the pressure on them.