| Arme Hershell - dink net aan die druk! (Vir my vriend Ferdi :) ) [boodskap #19575] |
Ma, 07 Desember 1998 00:00 |
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Business Day - 07 December 1998
Gibbs called up to replace Bacher in opening spot for second test
Mark Smit
RICHLY talented Western Province batsman Herschelle Gibbs was named
yesterday to replace out-of-form Gauteng opening batsman Adam Bacher as
the only change to the SA cricket team for the second test against the
West Indies starting on Thursday at St George's Park in Port Elizabeth.
Gibbs last played for SA in the first test at Johannesburg against
Pakistan this year and was most widely tipped to come into the squad
following an uproar during the first test over the "all-white"
complexion of the team.
Following the row, the United Cricket Board of SA (UCB) executive
committee met on Saturday and adopted a resolution that every national
team should from now on include "players of colour".
Amid reports of dissatisfaction within the ranks of the UCB over the
resolution, chairman Ray White said yesterday national selection
committee convenor Peter Pollock had said he was prepared to work within
the outlines of the directive.
There had been suggestions that Pollock, a strong defender of the
"selection on merit" principle at national level, might find himself
unable to work within the new guidelines.
"I had a word with Peter and he has accepted the situation," said White,
himself on record defending the merit principle. "He and his selectors
have seen this situation coming for some time and I think we all realise
we have to live with the realities of the day," said White.
"We need to be flexible and there is no doubt there is a great deal of
pressure on the politicians and sports leaders."
Asked whether he did not feel compromised by the executive's move,
having come out strongly before the first test for merit selection,
White would not comment.
Earlier, UCB MD Ali Bacher denied that Saturday's edict on selection
amounted to "self-censorship" to prevent further intervention by
agencies such as the government and the National Sports Council.
Bacher admitted the UCB was under pressure from politicians and others,
whose constituencies were putting pressure on them about the all-white
appearance of the team.
The 24-year-old Gibbs has played seven tests, in which he has made 223
runs at a disappointing average of 17,15.
However, his selection to open is hardly a gamble, with SA battling to
find a reliable opening pair for a year or more.
There has never been any argument about Gibbs' astounding talent - only
his application.
Gibbs's Western Province team-mate Paul Adams was also named in the
squad yesterday, as was Gauteng seam bowler David Terbrugge.
SA squad: Gary Kirsten, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Daryll
Cullinan, Hansie Cronje (capt), Jonty Rhodes, Shaun Pollock, Mark
Boucher, Pat Symcox, Allan Donald, David Terbrugge, Paul
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