Herschelle Gibbs the man - Smith

Profiles / Editor / 24 April 2007 / Leave a Comment

South Africa skipper Graeme Smith believes Herschelle Gibbs is the one man that Australia will be wary of as the two sides prepare to face each other on Wednesday.

Gibbs was instrumental in the Proteas' incredible record-breaking victory over the Aussies in Johannesburg in March last year, scoring 175 from just 111 deliveries as the South Africans chased down 434 for victory with one ball to spare.

The 33-year-old has scored over six-and-a-half thousand one-day international runs at an average of 36.19, with 16 centuries and 31 50s and is widely recognised as one of the most destructive batsman in world cricket in the shortened version of the game.

Australia have recently regained their status as the number one ranked side in 50-over cricket after a brief period as number two behind South Africa, and the rivalry between the two sides will come to a head when they do battle in St Lucia in mid-week.

The South Africans can boast a talented batting line-up with strength in depth, but Smith believes Gibbs' wicket is the one that will bring most relief to Ricky Ponting's men.

"I think Herschelle is one guy that Australia will fear," he said. "He's unpredictable, has shots all around the wicket and he's played well throughout the tournament."

And the left-hander feels that Gibbs is desperate for a chance to atone for dropping the then Aussie captain Steve Waugh eight years ago - a mistake which cost his side the match and a chance to eliminate the old enemy at the Super Six stage of the 1999 World Cup.

"You talk about 1999 and how many guys get a second chance," he added. "He's looking forward to the opportunity. I really believe Herschelle is up there for Wednesday."

Gibbs has already achieved the incredible feat of hitting six sixes in one over at the tournament but is way behind Australia's Matthew Hayden in the race to top the run-scoring charts.

The destructive Queenslander has amassed 580 runs in eight innings in the Caribbean to date and is the 1.34 favourite to finish the competition as the leading run-scorer.

His compatriot Ponting and South Africa's Jacques Kallis have each scored 480 runs and can be backed at 8.8 and 15.5 respectively to overhaul Hayden, with Gibbs offered at 510, having scored 303 runs to date.

New Zealand's surprise package Scott Styris, who has hammered 462 runs, is offered at 19.5 with Smith (441 runs) available at 32.