|
|
||||||
Herschelle Gibbs century seals series for South Africa.Filed under
AUSvSA ODI Series April 2009
His career might have ended back in 1998 when match fixing allegations first broke out (on Indian tour, captained by Hensie Cronje). and ever since, he counts the number of years on back of his shirt as his number.Playing with jersey number 9, meaning he's into 9th year since his worst days in life, Herschelle Gibbs struggled in last year with divorce, lack of form & dropped from team, and a bad IPL stint. But, as they say : form is temporary, class is permanent. Herschelle Gibbs unleashed all his class today at Port Elizabeth to score his 21st one day international century after Australian captain opted to field first, hoping to take advantage of early moisture as this was a Day ODI & it had rained last right! But, it wasn't to be.. Opening the innings, Gibbs looked in control right from start, concentrated on taking singles rather than risky shots while St. George's park fans cheered for him in full throttle. In partnership with AB de Villiers (84 runs), Gibbs scored 110 runs helped by some sloppy fielding from Aussies. JP Duminy finished final 5 overs where South Africa scored 67 runs, taking their total to mammoth 317. Chasing 318 to stay alive in this MTN ODI series, Brad Haddin and Michael Clarke made the perfect start with 129 runs for the opening wickets from just 21 overs! Even captain Ricky Ponting cracked a half century, making it hat-trick of fifties at top of order, but none of other Aussie batters could finish the job. Mini Scorecard : Aus v SA : 4th ODI : Port Elizabeth. South Africa (invited to bat first) = 317/6 in 50 overs Herschelle Gibbs 110, AB de Villiers 84, JP Duminy 40 Australia (target = 318) = 256/10 in 45.5 overs Brad Haddin 78(61b), M Clarke 50, R Ponting 53, Hopes 31. Full Scorecard : Australia vs South Africa : 4th ODI. 2nd loss : for Australia at St George's ground in Port Elizabeth. Australia had played 9 ODIs at the venue before they lost their first one today to South Africa at the venue. Shane Harwood : made his debut for Australia, aged 35. he played with Marcus North's shirt cause he was suddenly called up by Aussie selectors from his Rajasthan Royals franchise of IPL which starts in South Africa just a weeks time. 106 ODI catches for Herschelle Gibbs, which takes his past Jonty Rhodes, and just 2 behind Shaun Pollock who holds the record for most catches by a non-wicket keeper for South Africa.
Related ArticlesAUSvSA ODI Series April 2009
|
||||||
