|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Thursday, 29 July 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Sports | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
Gibbs ruled out of first Test by Sa'adi Thawfeeq Even before a ball has been bowled on their tour of Sri Lanka, South Africa have been pushed on to the back foot with the non-availability of experienced opening batsman Herschelle Gibbs. According to South African team captain Graeme Smith, Gibbs has been ruled out of the first Test against Sri Lanka starting at Galle on August 4. Whether he will be fit for the second Test starting on August 11 at the SSC is also doubtful. "The physio is working hard to get him going for the second Test," said Smith at a news conference announcing their arrival for the Sri Lanka tour at Hotel Taj Samudra yesterday. Gibbs twisted his right ankle at a training camp at Pretoria University High Performance Centre five days ago but was brought along with the tour party so that the physio could work on him. Losing Gibbs would be a massive blow to South Africa's chances of success on the tour, which also features five one-day internationals. Smith said that 23-year-old uncapped left-hander from Cape Town, Andrew Puttick has come in as cover for Gibbs if he is unfit to continue on the tour. Coming after a two-month break from international cricket and wintry conditions in South Africa, Smith said that the 3-day practice match against a Sri Lanka President's XI starting at the CCC grounds on Friday would be important for his team. "We are hoping we can given an opportunity to everyone. They haven't been in the middle for a long time. It's going to be important for the players to get a run out there and see what you can come up with. I think it is an important and a highly beneficial game for us," said Smith. Although the South African squad to Sri Lanka had a training camp back home, Smith said there was nothing like playing under sub continent conditions. "It's winter in South Africa and it's not easy to work in similar conditions as we will have to work over here. Our preparations ahead of the first Test is really important. We start our work plan on Friday. We will have to make the most of it," he said. Smith said that it was a huge advantage to have experienced players in the team especially when they were touring the subcontinent. "We got advice from a lot of guys who had been here before. Gary Kirsten discussed with us a couple of things that worked for him on an individual basis and as a team," said Smith. "Having the experience here is very important because it really helps the younger guys to develop their lack of experience." he said. Some of the experienced players whom Smith will rely on for first hand information on Sri Lankan conditions are former captain Shaun Pollock under whom South Africa drew the three Test series 1-all (1 drawn) on their last tour here four years ago, Jacques Kallis, Mark Boucher, Nicky Boje, Nantie Hayward, and Lance Klusener. Coach Eric Simmons said that South Africa will use the two-Test series against Sri Lanka to regain their lost position in the ICC Test rankings. South Africa who were long standing second to Australia since the inception of the rankings, was displaced by England recently. "Our main concern is that most sides are behind Australia and we need to close that gap. We don't want to be no. 2, but no. 1. It reflects the fact the other sides that put up with us is a concern. But we will take every Test as it comes," he said. Simmons said that South Africa used the ICC rankings as to motivate the team. "We sit and discuss it in stages and situations, how it's going to affect us. We believe it's a longer process than to try and hang onto no. 1 or no. 2," he said. Smith said: "We are working on a couple of things to take us to no. 1 position. A good tour in Sri Lanka will give us a lot of confidence. This is a real tough place to come and play. We certainly look forward to the challenge." Smith was of the opinion that off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan will be their main threat. "I know he is a world class performer and he is going to perform well in conditions which are going to suit him. I think he is going to be a handful even without bowling the doosra," he said. "We've got to get our confidence to match our ability. The confidence and our mental strength. If we can get those two things to match our ability, we will be one hell of a powerful side," said Smith. South African squad: Graeme Smith (captain), Mark Boucher, Nicky Boje, Boeta Dippenaar, Herschelle Gibbs, Nantie Hayward, Jacques Kallis, Lance Klusener, Andre Nel, Makhaya Ntini, Robin Peterson, Shaun Pollock, Jacques Rudolph, Martin van Jaarsveld, Andrew Puttick. Jean-Paul Duminy and Alan Dawson will replace Dippenaar and Hayward for the one-day series. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
