|
|
|
| December 24, 2006 | Sunday | Zilhaj 02, 1427 |
Gibbs to be demoted in 2nd Test
DURBAN, Dec 23: Opener Herschelle Gibbs is expected to be moved down South Africa's batting order for the second Test against India after recording a pair of ducks in first match, captain Graeme Smith said on Saturday.
A.B. de Villiers is likely to open with Smith as South Africa reshuffle their batting line-up after a 123-run defeat in the first Test in Johannesburg.
“There will be one or two line-up changes in the top six,” Smith told a news conference in Durban, where the second Test will start on Tuesday.
“A.B. going up front will probably be one change, with Herschelle going to number six.”
The match marked India's first Test win in South Africa, and another victory in Durban would clinch the three-Test series.
Smith, who scored five and 10 in Johannesburg, said he had worked on his game since the first Test ended on Monday.
“I really needed some time for myself and my own game,” Smith said.
Smith remained confident that South Africa could redeem themselves in Durban.
“We said we didn't play well enough, and that pressure on yourself is enough to turn around a performance like the one in Johannesburg,” Smith said.
“There's no doubt that we can turn it around. We know we played badly and we know we have the ability to turn it around.”—Reuters
|
|
|
|
