Naz
22nd April 2006, 13:26
Gibbs pays price for lack of runs
Herschelle Gibbs
Gibbs has been short of confidence in Test cricket of late
South Africa have dropped experienced batsman Herschelle Gibbs for the two remaining Tests in their home series against New Zealand.
He made only six and two in the first Test at Centurion Park, a game South Africa won by 128 runs.
"We had a meeting and agreed that a break and a fresh start next season will do him a world of good," said chief selector Haroon Lorgat.
Hashim Amla may replace Gibbs for the second Test, which starts on Thursday.
It would be Amla's first opportunity since the home series against England over a year ago and a reward for domestic form, which saw him score over 890 runs in the Supersport Series at an average of 55.
South Africa have also left seam bowler Garnett Kruger out of the squad for the Tests at Cape Town and Johannesburg.
He had been in line to win his first cap in the opening game against New Zealand but a shoulder strain put paid to his chances.
"With the outstanding performances of Makhaya Ntini and Dale Steyn in that match, and with Andre Nel in reserve, we have decided to release him," Lorgat added.
"At the start of the series we carried an unusually large squad of 16 players. We are now able to reduce the squad to 14 players and will reduce it further to 13 for the last Test."
New Zealand, meanwhile, have called up seam bowler Michael Mason to provide cover for Shane Bond, who missed the first Test because of a knee problem.
South Africa squad: G Smith (capt), J Kallis, B Dippenaar, A Prince, AB de Villiers, J Rudolph, H Amla, M Boucher (wkt), S Pollock, N Boje, A Hall, M Ntini, D Steyn, A Nel.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/4934018.stm
Good news for all muslims, Amla, well know for his epic beard, may get a game.
Herschelle Gibbs
Gibbs has been short of confidence in Test cricket of late
South Africa have dropped experienced batsman Herschelle Gibbs for the two remaining Tests in their home series against New Zealand.
He made only six and two in the first Test at Centurion Park, a game South Africa won by 128 runs.
"We had a meeting and agreed that a break and a fresh start next season will do him a world of good," said chief selector Haroon Lorgat.
Hashim Amla may replace Gibbs for the second Test, which starts on Thursday.
It would be Amla's first opportunity since the home series against England over a year ago and a reward for domestic form, which saw him score over 890 runs in the Supersport Series at an average of 55.
South Africa have also left seam bowler Garnett Kruger out of the squad for the Tests at Cape Town and Johannesburg.
He had been in line to win his first cap in the opening game against New Zealand but a shoulder strain put paid to his chances.
"With the outstanding performances of Makhaya Ntini and Dale Steyn in that match, and with Andre Nel in reserve, we have decided to release him," Lorgat added.
"At the start of the series we carried an unusually large squad of 16 players. We are now able to reduce the squad to 14 players and will reduce it further to 13 for the last Test."
New Zealand, meanwhile, have called up seam bowler Michael Mason to provide cover for Shane Bond, who missed the first Test because of a knee problem.
South Africa squad: G Smith (capt), J Kallis, B Dippenaar, A Prince, AB de Villiers, J Rudolph, H Amla, M Boucher (wkt), S Pollock, N Boje, A Hall, M Ntini, D Steyn, A Nel.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/4934018.stm
Good news for all muslims, Amla, well know for his epic beard, may get a game.