OMEN
04-24-2006, 10:06 PM
Altus Momberg, Die Burger
Cape Town - Herschelle Gibbs has been caught in a vicious circle.
Former South African opening bat Andrew Hudson says the only way in which Gibbs will regain his self-confidence is to spend time at the crease.
Hudson says Gibbs' lack of confidence exacerbates his technical problems and because the technical problems lead to him losing his wicket early, his confidence is further eroded.
"Everyone goes through such a slump. Herschelle is not the first or last batsman who will lose his confidence," said Hudson.
According to Hudson an opener like Gary Kirsten could fight through his slumps, but a stroke player like Gibbs finds it very difficult to graft through his problems.
"He has to get his confidence back in some way or other."
Gibbs has been left out of the Proteas squad for the last two Tests against New Zealand and asked to get is act together for the Proteas strenuous programme next season.
The second Test against the Kiwis begin at Newlands on Thursday. South Africa lead the three Test series one-nil.
Gibbs has really been struggling in the traditional game this season
Protect their stumps better
In the seven Tests he has represented his country this season, he has been bowled out nine times in 14 knocks (64.2%).
Compare this to the 32 times he has been bowled out in the 131 times at the crease in his Test career, or 25.6%.
Gibbs's 25.6% is quite high compared to today's world stars - Jacques Kallis (22.7%), Rahul Dravid (20.3%), Sachin Tendulkar (17.5%) and the incredible Ricky Ponting (12.6%). They all protect their stumps better than Gibbs.
Gibbs has never been a player who uses his feet to a great extent.
Hudson thinks this is one of his problems.
"It appears as if Herschelle is not in line with the ball when he plays his shot. If there is any sideways movement, he isn't in line and he must virtually guess where the ball is going. It makes it easier for him to miss the ball."
When he plays with confidence, Gibbs knows where his off-stump is, but he is at present battling to determine to which deliveries he must offer a shot and which to leave alone.
Hudson says Gibbs should consider batting from middle stump in stead of asking for leg.
"He could get more LBWs against him, but at least he would have given himself a chance to be in line with the ball," Hudson said.
Bond trained with team
Meanwhile the Kiwis' dangerous fast bowler, Shane Bond, trained with the squad on Monday. The left-handed bowler missed the first Test because of a knee injury.
Even though he took part in the entire day's training, New Zealand vice-captain Daniel Vettori said not too much should be read into this.
Vettori said: "He also trained with us before the first Test.
"It's probably Shane's decision. He's the type of guy who won't play if he couldn't carry a heavy workload. We will have to wait and see how he reacts after Monday's training."
Vettori added that he was quite surprised how dry the pitch was.
"Everyone said the pitch would have a lot of moisture, but it's probably the driest wicket I've ever seen in South Africa."
The spinner, who did not get a lot of assistance from the wicket that suited the bowlers in Centurion, said he was looking forward to bowling on the Newlands pitch.
The Newlands groundsman, Christo Erasmus, said he was going to try to make the pitch as favourable as possible for the batsmen.
"It's a problem however because it won't be easy this time of the year. A bit of moisture will definitely remain in this pitch."
News 24
Cape Town - Herschelle Gibbs has been caught in a vicious circle.
Former South African opening bat Andrew Hudson says the only way in which Gibbs will regain his self-confidence is to spend time at the crease.
Hudson says Gibbs' lack of confidence exacerbates his technical problems and because the technical problems lead to him losing his wicket early, his confidence is further eroded.
"Everyone goes through such a slump. Herschelle is not the first or last batsman who will lose his confidence," said Hudson.
According to Hudson an opener like Gary Kirsten could fight through his slumps, but a stroke player like Gibbs finds it very difficult to graft through his problems.
"He has to get his confidence back in some way or other."
Gibbs has been left out of the Proteas squad for the last two Tests against New Zealand and asked to get is act together for the Proteas strenuous programme next season.
The second Test against the Kiwis begin at Newlands on Thursday. South Africa lead the three Test series one-nil.
Gibbs has really been struggling in the traditional game this season
Protect their stumps better
In the seven Tests he has represented his country this season, he has been bowled out nine times in 14 knocks (64.2%).
Compare this to the 32 times he has been bowled out in the 131 times at the crease in his Test career, or 25.6%.
Gibbs's 25.6% is quite high compared to today's world stars - Jacques Kallis (22.7%), Rahul Dravid (20.3%), Sachin Tendulkar (17.5%) and the incredible Ricky Ponting (12.6%). They all protect their stumps better than Gibbs.
Gibbs has never been a player who uses his feet to a great extent.
Hudson thinks this is one of his problems.
"It appears as if Herschelle is not in line with the ball when he plays his shot. If there is any sideways movement, he isn't in line and he must virtually guess where the ball is going. It makes it easier for him to miss the ball."
When he plays with confidence, Gibbs knows where his off-stump is, but he is at present battling to determine to which deliveries he must offer a shot and which to leave alone.
Hudson says Gibbs should consider batting from middle stump in stead of asking for leg.
"He could get more LBWs against him, but at least he would have given himself a chance to be in line with the ball," Hudson said.
Bond trained with team
Meanwhile the Kiwis' dangerous fast bowler, Shane Bond, trained with the squad on Monday. The left-handed bowler missed the first Test because of a knee injury.
Even though he took part in the entire day's training, New Zealand vice-captain Daniel Vettori said not too much should be read into this.
Vettori said: "He also trained with us before the first Test.
"It's probably Shane's decision. He's the type of guy who won't play if he couldn't carry a heavy workload. We will have to wait and see how he reacts after Monday's training."
Vettori added that he was quite surprised how dry the pitch was.
"Everyone said the pitch would have a lot of moisture, but it's probably the driest wicket I've ever seen in South Africa."
The spinner, who did not get a lot of assistance from the wicket that suited the bowlers in Centurion, said he was looking forward to bowling on the Newlands pitch.
The Newlands groundsman, Christo Erasmus, said he was going to try to make the pitch as favourable as possible for the batsmen.
"It's a problem however because it won't be easy this time of the year. A bit of moisture will definitely remain in this pitch."
News 24