January 25, 2007	Thursday	Muharram 05, 1428

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window)

CAPE TOWN, Jan 24: South Africa has called up batsman Boeta Dippenaar as cover for under-fire Herschelle Gibbs for the third Test against Pakistan starting on Friday while fast bowler Andre Nel is set to miss the match with a bruised heel, Proteas coach Mickey Arthur confirmed on Wednesday.

Gibbs, who underwent a hearing on Wednesday for his appeal against the two-Test ban for breaching the International Cricket Council’s code of conduct, will miss the third Test if ICC Appeals Commissioner, Richie Benaud rules against him on Thursday.

Gibbs was sentenced to the ban after he made abusive and derogatory remarks about Pakistan supporters during the first Test between South Africa and Pakistan at Supersport Park in Centurion earlier this month. “Herschelle is very much part of our plans, and he is beginning to find some good form again,” said Arthur. “It will be unfortunate if the ban is upheld and he misses out.”

Disclosing the hosts’ batting plans for the Cape Town game, Arthur said: “Boeta will open with Graeme Smith. If Herschelle is banned, AB (de Villiers) will bat at number six. If Herschelle is allowed to play, AB will sit this one out.”

"Andre Nel will also definitely sit this one out,” added Arthur. “Being such a big man, he finds the back-to-back Tests take a lot out of him, and his bruised heel was troubling him in Port Elizabeth. He was always going to miss the Cape Town Test,” said Arthur. “Fortunately Dale Steyn is 100 per cent fit, and will replace Andre. Dale is raring to go, and he always does such a good job at mopping up the tail.”

Arthur admitted that De Villiers has been experiencing a run of poor form recently. “He started off beautifully, and had the world at his feet,” said Arthur. “But recently, he's been having some problems, and it's beginning to affect him mentally.

“We realise he has some technical flaws, but during a Test series is not the time to fix those. We are working with him, but what's important is that we need to build up his confidence. He is a very important part of our one-day team.”

Arthur said a decision on whether to rest one of South Africa's senior bowlers, Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini, would be taken after the team's practice on Thursday. “I would be very reluctant to go into such an important Test without them,” he said. “They are very tired, but we'll make that call tomorrow.”—Agencies