Cricket World Cup 2007 : Batting stars to watch : Herschelle Gibbs

Full name: Herschelle Herman Gibbs
Batting style: Right-hand bat
Country: South Africa

Batting Records

Record (ODI): -

Mat	I	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	100	50	0
195	193	14	6356	175	35.50	16	27	20

Record (WCs): -

Mat	I	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	100	50	0
ICC World Cup (1999)	9	9	0	341	101	37.88	1	2	1
ICC World Cup (2003)	6	6	2	384	143	96.00	1	2	0

Strengths

From a premier batsman to a match fixer then again to a premier batsman. Life has taken 360 degree turn for Herschelle Gibbs. He is South Africa's one of many top performers in the past. His main strengh is to take the attack to opposition. He looks stylish and is very elegant when is in full flow. Like most of the players from South Africa, he likes pulling and hooking the cricket ball. Has a good temperament. 16 centuries are the proof. Once he gets in he makes a big one. Who can forget the innings of 175 against Australia chasing 434. This is just one of his many match winning knocks. He is an opener but now he is settling down in the middle order very well and provides a kind of flexibility to the batting line up. He is a good player of spin bowling and uses his feet well against the spinners.

Apart from that he is an exceptional fielder. He usually fields at point and in middle overs at short mid wicket. Thats why his importance doubles in the team.

Weakness

He is always indulged in one controversy or the other. Whether its famous drop catch of Waugh in 1999 World Cup, match fixing row or the latest use of abusive language towards the Pakistan crowd. Controversy and Gibbs go side by side. Because of these things he has to miss several matches affecting his overall career.

His recent form is also not up to the standards. In the series against India and Pakistan he struggled for runs. For the first time in his career such a long dry spell has taken place.

Oppurtunities

South Africa are with giants Australia and minnows Scotland and Holland in Group A. So its certain that they are going to reach in the super 8's. And with South Africa overtaking Australia in the ICC rankings for ODI's, the team might go all the way through.

Expectations

He would bat in middle order as the top order is stable with both AB de villiers and Graeme Smith back in form. So Gibbs would provide the much needed stability in the middle order. And if he can carry on his starts he can be very destructive. His fielding is always an asset for South Africa. And he will thrill the spectators with his heroics in the field. Gibbs would be one of the players that are going to be closely watched in cricket World Ccup. Get ready for African Safari.....