For those who missed it, last month Herschelle Gibbs created quite a stir with the release of his book "To The Point". Lots of sordid tales of cricketers behaving badly, but also plenty of insight into what really happens on a cricket tour and some insight into who Herschelle Gibbs really is.
I came across this video interview with him and thought it might give another side to this world-class cricketer.
If you want to order the book online you can order it HERE
Showing posts with label Herschelle Gibbs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Herschelle Gibbs. Show all posts
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Cricket SA versus Herschelle Gibbs
This whole story between Herschelle Gibbs and Cricket South Africa (CSA) is really a little bizarre.
Obviously there was going to be some fall out after the release of his autobiography but it doesn't seem like it has been handled very well.
On Friday the news headlines are all trumpeting that Gibbs has been dumped by CSA but then they send out the following press release trying to "clarify" the situation.
Still looks about as clear as mud to me. So he can play but he can't play?
CRICKET SOUTH AFRICA (CSA) today issued an apology to Herschelle Gibbs (Gibbs) for, on 3 December prematurely issuing an inaccurate media release regarding the termination of its contractual relationship with Gibbs.
The following correctly reflects the agreement concluded between CSA and Gibbs:
Following amicable discussions, and in the best interests of South African cricket, CSA and Gibbs have announced that they have agreed to terminate Gibbs’ National Cricketer Contract by mutual consent.
“It has been agreed that this is the best way forward for both parties,” commented CSA CEO Gerald Majola.
“On behalf of CSA I would like to wish Herschelle all the best for his future and to thank him for the contribution he has made to the successes of the Proteas over an extended period of time,” he added.
“Herschelle represented our country for 14 years with distinction and I don’t think any cricket lover will ever forget the magnificent innings he played in the famous 438 game against Australia.”
Gibbs remains eligible for selection for the Proteas, and has requested CSA to issue a “No Objection Certificate” (NOC) to allow him to play in a Twenty20 competition in New Zealand later this month. CSA has agreed to do so.
Gibbs said, “I’d like to thank CSA, my team mates and especially the public for the unbelievable support over the years. The fans have been incredible and they all rock. I look forward to entertaining everyone on the world stage.”
Neither Gibbs nor CSA will comment further on this matter, the content of the agreement concluded between them, being confidential.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Herschelle Gibbs bio looks fun
There have rarely been few cricketers as precocious as Herschelle Gibbs and that's why I was quite excited to see that his autobiography is about to hit the shelves. Should make an awesome Christmas present.
It releases on 1 November and you can buy it from Kalahari for R160 or click on the book cover.
To the Point: The No-holds-barred Autobiography:
There's something about Herschelle Gibbs - a certain quality that has endeared him to cricket fans in South Africa and around the world.
Despite the frustrating on-field inconsistencies of this towering talent, and the messy and very public off-field personal troubles that have tracked him through the years, Gibbs remains one of South African cricket's best-loved sons.
In his own, very frank, words, Herschelle Gibbs chronicles the ups and downs of his personal and professional life, and describes what it's been like to be part of the Proteas for the past fourteen years, through the controversies of its various captains, coaches and administrators.
To the Point is of course, a spicy story of excess - women, alcohol, money and plenty of runs - but it also reveals a warm and generous man who wears his heart on his slevee.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
What disaster?
I have been thinking quite a lot about this whole T20 World Cup "disaster" for the South African side and reading all the negative comments that have been going around in the various media channels.
Everyone is dragging up the whole "chokers" tag again and wandering around with the whole "I told you so attitude".
Game 1 - we played India - lost by 14 runs
Game 2 - we played Afghanistan - won 59 runs
Game 3 - we played New Zealand - won by 13 runs
Game 4 - we played England - got thumped by 39 runs
Game 5 - we played Pakistan - lost by 11 runs
We had 1 bad game against England and then two average games against India and Pakistan. The difference between the two sides was effectively one over.
Yes it irritates the shit out of me that Morne Morkel bowls no-balls in ODI or T20 cricket. Yes it irritates the shit out of me that we battle to pace ourselves to score at 10 an over from the word go. It also irritates the shit out of me that somebody would dare to double step Dale Steyn and slug him 90 metres for a six... but these things happen and in T20 it is going to happen on a regular basis.
With due respect if we took on any of those sides in a test or full 50 over ODI match up, our win ratio would be 75% or higher if playing at home and probably 60% or higher playing away from home.
We need to take a look at what we take away from this event:
Everyone is dragging up the whole "chokers" tag again and wandering around with the whole "I told you so attitude".
Game 1 - we played India - lost by 14 runs
Game 2 - we played Afghanistan - won 59 runs
Game 3 - we played New Zealand - won by 13 runs
Game 4 - we played England - got thumped by 39 runs
Game 5 - we played Pakistan - lost by 11 runs
We had 1 bad game against England and then two average games against India and Pakistan. The difference between the two sides was effectively one over.
Yes it irritates the shit out of me that Morne Morkel bowls no-balls in ODI or T20 cricket. Yes it irritates the shit out of me that we battle to pace ourselves to score at 10 an over from the word go. It also irritates the shit out of me that somebody would dare to double step Dale Steyn and slug him 90 metres for a six... but these things happen and in T20 it is going to happen on a regular basis.
With due respect if we took on any of those sides in a test or full 50 over ODI match up, our win ratio would be 75% or higher if playing at home and probably 60% or higher playing away from home.
We need to take a look at what we take away from this event:
- Morne Morkel is not an ODI / T20 bowler - let's not treat him as such. Let him mature as a test bowler
- There is a serious argument to let Johan Botha become the dedicated ODI / T20 captain. He has shown he understands the format of the game - let's use his knowledge
- In T20 cricket, where are we going to use JP Duminy? He's a great middle order batter but is he the big hitter that we need with four overs to go?
- I'm a Herschelle Gibbs fan but at some point he needs to deliver the goods
We have to be a little realistic about what this tournament says about SA cricket. It's not the end of the world - hell it is hardly a black mark on our record - its just that we need to understand what we want to do with this T20 side.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Cricket picks - Mumbai Indians vs Deccan Chargers
The Deccan Chargers need to pick up maximum points this afternoon against the Mumbai Indians if they are planning to make the knock-out stages of the IPL this year. Gilchrist and Co will be cursing the fact that they have dropped some points in earlier games and now need to make it up against Tendulkars men.
Our picks for this fixture:
Come on Deccan!
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Our picks for this fixture:
- Split bet on top Deccan batsman - Andrew Symonds (5/1) and Herschelle Gibbs (4/1)
- Top Mumbai Indians batsman - JP Duminy
Come on Deccan!
Planning to take a bet on the Chargers today?
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Saturday, March 20, 2010
Two match ups in the IPL on Sunday
The Deccan Chargers take on the Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League today and this is followed up by Chennai vs Kings XI Punjab.
Here are our selections for the Sunday match ups:Match-up one selections:
- Deccan to win
- Deccan top batsman - Herschelle Gibbs
- Delhi top batsman – AB Devilliers
Match up two:
- Chennai to win
- Top Punjab batsman – Yufraj Singh
- Top Chennia batsman – Either Matt Hayden or Albie Morkel (12/1)
Happy punting!
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Sunday, January 10, 2010
Does Mickey Arthur have a plan?
I know that coach-bashing is a popular past-time in South African sports, but the more I look at the selections and planning around our national cricket team, the more I wonder whether or not Mickey Arthur really has a clue about where he’s taking this team?
The openers crisis
Our inability to find a decent opening pair is a starting point. Yes Ashwell Prince has had some success there but he’s indicated that he doesn’t want to play there on a regular basis and it puts a lot of pressure on the rest of the team when he gets out cheap.
Yes these may be our six best batters, but why are we trying to make an opener out of somebody out of a middle-order batter?
We have the Andrew Putticks and Stephen Cooks of the world who are chalking up the runs, but whenever the mess hits the fan we draft Herschelle Gibbs back in or try and invent an opener.
Friedel de Wet
De Wet at the age of 29 has come out of nowhere to represent the test squad and somehow is now the first choice back up to Dale Steyn. With Ntini’s retirement this makes him part of the first-choice attack. Where did he come from? He was never given a run in the ODI or T20 side before he suddenly got a surprise call-up.
Wayne Parnell, Lonwaba Tsotsobe, Rory Kleinveldt, Johan van der Wath, Yussuf Abdullah, Ryan Mclaren and Albie Morkel have all been given a crack in the ODI side. Somehow De Wet leapfrogs over all of these guys and Johan Botha into the first test team?
Imran Tahir
The Pakistani / we think South African spinner was out of the blue included in the fourth test match squad at the Wanderers.
Then he was dropped when questions around his eligibility were raised.
All of a sudden he has jumped ahead of all the other bowlers – including the very successful and experienced Johan Botha as a test candidate?
For sure it is easy to be an armchair fan and criticise Arthur and the selectors for the makeup of the team, but there doesn’t look like there is any real process happening here to develop and build a sustainable long-term team.
The openers crisis
Our inability to find a decent opening pair is a starting point. Yes Ashwell Prince has had some success there but he’s indicated that he doesn’t want to play there on a regular basis and it puts a lot of pressure on the rest of the team when he gets out cheap.
Yes these may be our six best batters, but why are we trying to make an opener out of somebody out of a middle-order batter?
We have the Andrew Putticks and Stephen Cooks of the world who are chalking up the runs, but whenever the mess hits the fan we draft Herschelle Gibbs back in or try and invent an opener.
Friedel de Wet
De Wet at the age of 29 has come out of nowhere to represent the test squad and somehow is now the first choice back up to Dale Steyn. With Ntini’s retirement this makes him part of the first-choice attack. Where did he come from? He was never given a run in the ODI or T20 side before he suddenly got a surprise call-up.
Wayne Parnell, Lonwaba Tsotsobe, Rory Kleinveldt, Johan van der Wath, Yussuf Abdullah, Ryan Mclaren and Albie Morkel have all been given a crack in the ODI side. Somehow De Wet leapfrogs over all of these guys and Johan Botha into the first test team?
Imran Tahir
The Pakistani / we think South African spinner was out of the blue included in the fourth test match squad at the Wanderers.
Then he was dropped when questions around his eligibility were raised.
All of a sudden he has jumped ahead of all the other bowlers – including the very successful and experienced Johan Botha as a test candidate?
For sure it is easy to be an armchair fan and criticise Arthur and the selectors for the makeup of the team, but there doesn’t look like there is any real process happening here to develop and build a sustainable long-term team.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Herschelle
I had to laugh today - I saw a brilliant Tweet on Twitter.
The first person asked: "How can Herschelle Gibbs be carrying the drinks for the South African team today?"
A couple of people responded: "Set a thief to catch a thief?"
Sharp reply - very funny!
The first person asked: "How can Herschelle Gibbs be carrying the drinks for the South African team today?"
A couple of people responded: "Set a thief to catch a thief?"
Sharp reply - very funny!
Saturday, May 2, 2009
IPL observation
I have an observation on this years IPL... T20 isn't a young mans game and experience has counted for a helluva lot this year.
Have a look at the top batters after 6 games - age in brackets:
- Matthew Hayden (37)
- Suresh Raida (23)
- Adam Gilchrist (37)
- Sachin Tendulkar (36)
- Herschelle Gibbs (35)
Obviously runs are pretty closely contested in this format of the game but I think its interesting that apart from Raida, the top batters are 35 and older - so much for smash and bash one day cricket.
Rahul Dravid (36) is also in the mix just below the top 5.
The bowlers were a very mixed bag with Yusuf Abdullah topping the ranks followed by "Slinger" Malinga.... Indian legspin master Anil Kumble was there or there abouts but no clear trend seemed to come through on the bowling front.
In terms of the batters though - I wonder if it is a case that they're not batting with a weight of expectation on their shoulders and are just going out to have a bit of fun or maybe administrators and fans get so wrapped up in "the next big thing" that we forget how much value and experience thes guys bring to the party?
Monday, April 27, 2009
Yeah yeah yeah!
Can you say Deccan Chargers baby!!!!
Gibbs and Gilchrist are loving this format of the game and they're just on top of their game -it's great to watch....
We racked up another hard fought win over the Chennai Super Kings today.... A good weekend of cricket for us.
How cool has it been to watch Shane Warne playing!? The standing (if a little uncultured) joke in South Africa is that Warney likes this T20 lark because the two guys who knew how to play him - Hansie Cronje and Jonty Rhodes - one is dead and one has retired...
Moving swiftly along...
Have to put the boot in again as well here... Freddie Flintoff and KP are the two most expensive players in this years IPL if my stats are correct... and they've contributed how much in runs and wickets?!
Not sure either of these guys classify as the top cricketers in the ODI format of the game... but that's just personal opinion and I appreciate that there is more a "celeb" factor when one looks at KP as opposed to cricketing skills.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
To be honest
I have to say that despite my reservations about T20 cricket I've actually spent more time following the IPL this year than last year.
Heck I've even got a favourite team (The Deccan Chargers)!
Looking at the crowds as well, its probably been a good boost for SA cricket and tourism so that should have some economic spin-offs as well ...
... and best of all the cricket has been classy!
The Mumbai Indians and the Deccan Chargers are the top two teams in the competition at the moment and they haven't gotten there with crazy slogging cricket.
Gilchrist, Gibbs and Tendulkar have put on some seriously classy batting displays and while its not really a bowlers format of cricket, there have been some good spells as well.
Heck I've even got a favourite team (The Deccan Chargers)!
Looking at the crowds as well, its probably been a good boost for SA cricket and tourism so that should have some economic spin-offs as well ...
... and best of all the cricket has been classy!
The Mumbai Indians and the Deccan Chargers are the top two teams in the competition at the moment and they haven't gotten there with crazy slogging cricket.
Gilchrist, Gibbs and Tendulkar have put on some seriously classy batting displays and while its not really a bowlers format of cricket, there have been some good spells as well.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
My pick...
I forgot to post my pick for the IPL - this year it was easy - Adam Gilchrist opening with Herschelle Gibbs - no questions The Deccan Chargers are my team...
Then you have Andrew Symonds and Scot Styris there as all rounders - not too shabby mate!
Darren Lehman as a coach also not too bad...
Monday, April 13, 2009
4th ODI...
It looks like an amazing atmosphere at St George's Park today - listen to that band and the singing in the background - that's what live sport is about!
For those who don't know, I'm a born and bred Johannesburg boy and unlike most of my countrymen I'm not the biggest fan of Cape Town (Even though I support their domestic rugby and cricket sides) or even Durban....
... But Port Elizabeth - where St Georges is situated - is one of those towns which has grown on me in the last few years. I even spent my last Christmas there - it's a seriously underrated area and the pictures they were showing at the cricket brought back fond memories.
If you are in SA for the IPL then I would recommend Port Elizabeth as a place to base yourself if you are looking for something different.
Anyway some good cricket going on here... Good performances from Gibbs and Devilliers with the bat and now Steyn, VD Merwe and Botha with the ball... Check back here after the result, I want to discuss the benefit of the injection of a couple of spinners into the SA setup.
For those who don't know, I'm a born and bred Johannesburg boy and unlike most of my countrymen I'm not the biggest fan of Cape Town (Even though I support their domestic rugby and cricket sides) or even Durban....
... But Port Elizabeth - where St Georges is situated - is one of those towns which has grown on me in the last few years. I even spent my last Christmas there - it's a seriously underrated area and the pictures they were showing at the cricket brought back fond memories.
If you are in SA for the IPL then I would recommend Port Elizabeth as a place to base yourself if you are looking for something different.
Anyway some good cricket going on here... Good performances from Gibbs and Devilliers with the bat and now Steyn, VD Merwe and Botha with the ball... Check back here after the result, I want to discuss the benefit of the injection of a couple of spinners into the SA setup.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Herschelle!
I know it's early days but there is just something seriously exciting about watching Herschelle Gibbs when he starts to look like he is on form....
Damn he's dangerous and he can score runs wherever he feels like it...
Lots of skill - just gotta work on the brains!
Damn he's dangerous and he can score runs wherever he feels like it...
Lots of skill - just gotta work on the brains!
Friday, March 20, 2009
What were they thinking?!
I don't mean to be too nasty - especially when the oke is gifting us runs galore - but seriously what were the Aussies thinking with bringing Bryce Mcgain over to SA?
I've just done a Google search on Mcgain's name and I see that a lot of cricket boards are buzzing with his name and his atrocious bowling performances in SA.
Hahahahaha I see there are lots of comparisons between him and Mick Lewis who got taken to pieces by Herschelle Gibbs in his ODI debut...
I've just done a Google search on Mcgain's name and I see that a lot of cricket boards are buzzing with his name and his atrocious bowling performances in SA.
Hahahahaha I see there are lots of comparisons between him and Mick Lewis who got taken to pieces by Herschelle Gibbs in his ODI debut...
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Worlds most destructive batters...
... Here's a bit of fun - who is the worlds most consistently destructive batter??
Virender Sehwag of India is the guy who first springs to mind and Chris Gayle is another big hitting batter.
Not sure that Gayle has the consistency though. Kevin Pietersen, Andrew Symonds and Herschellle Gibbs are the other usual suspects.
Would be fun to throw it out to our readers and get some thoughts on who the most destructive batter in world cricket is at the moment...?
Have to say that I still rate Herschelle Gibbs as someone I wouldn't rush to bowl to...
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Payback is a bitch...
That's all I can say - we got put in our place by a damn useful Aussie side in front of our home supporters... Ouch!
Now before we do the usual South African story of throwing our hands up in the air and berating our side, we need to step back and try and put these performances into perspective.
Number 1: When we were in Australia it took heroics from Duminy, Steyn and Devilliers to ultimately keep us competitive in the first two tests which we won... We didn't walk all over the Aussies and I think that is something we need to emphasise. Both sides could have won either of the first two tests in Australia. We were less competitive at home.
Number 2: This is a good Aussie side... We mustn't forget how good this Australian side is... Johnson, Ponting, Hussey, Clarke and Katich are amongst the best in the world in respect of the positions they occupy. On top of that, Hughes looks like a world-beater in the making. Quality cricketers don't roll over and get beaten under any circumstances.
Number 3: Injuries played a part.... An injury to Graeme Smith and the knock that Kallis took invariably rattled us in our first innings. If they had been able to contribute another 100 runs in our first innings and Smith a few in the second innings the series would be all square and we would be patting ourselves on the back for chasing a mammoth total.
We didn't win it and we have to get over it. Imraan Khan and Ashwell Prince have been moved in for the injured Smith and the out-of-form Mckenzie which makes some sense and Wayne Parnell has been added to the squad in place of Morne Morkel...
... and this is where I get irritated with selection in SA cricket. Where the hell is the consistency in moving players in and out.
Bowlers: First test match Lonwabo Tsotsobe is the 12th man and I as a fan believe he will be the replacement bowler if somebody moves out. The second test match, he gets drafted out and Albie Morkel moves to the bench. Third test match, MORNE Morkel gets dropped and Parnell moves into the lineup.... Who the hell is the next choice bowler?!
Personally I think that Tsotsobe or Parnell should be at the top of the line because they offer some variety with left-arm seam where as Albie Morkel (while offering something with the batting front) offers just straight-up right arm seam. Dunno...
Batters:
I think it is great that Khan got a hundred against the Aussies in the warm-up game and he has been the top domestic run getter so he deserves a chance to play. My question is - where was he in Australia or the T20's or the ODI games?
Suddenly the guy has been drafted in to the setup... where is the succession planning. As far as I knew the next two batters in line for international spots (based on selector behaviour) were Herschelle Gibbs and Vaughn Van Jaarsveld with Andrew Puttick on the fringes... Suddenly they are pulling in Khan....
In the same way I see that Ashwell Prince is supposedly going to open the innings. This doesn't make sense and we seem to be carrying on with this idea of "making" openers out of middle-order batters.... Dunno - no consistency.
Let's see how it goes
Now before we do the usual South African story of throwing our hands up in the air and berating our side, we need to step back and try and put these performances into perspective.
Number 1: When we were in Australia it took heroics from Duminy, Steyn and Devilliers to ultimately keep us competitive in the first two tests which we won... We didn't walk all over the Aussies and I think that is something we need to emphasise. Both sides could have won either of the first two tests in Australia. We were less competitive at home.
Number 2: This is a good Aussie side... We mustn't forget how good this Australian side is... Johnson, Ponting, Hussey, Clarke and Katich are amongst the best in the world in respect of the positions they occupy. On top of that, Hughes looks like a world-beater in the making. Quality cricketers don't roll over and get beaten under any circumstances.
Number 3: Injuries played a part.... An injury to Graeme Smith and the knock that Kallis took invariably rattled us in our first innings. If they had been able to contribute another 100 runs in our first innings and Smith a few in the second innings the series would be all square and we would be patting ourselves on the back for chasing a mammoth total.
We didn't win it and we have to get over it. Imraan Khan and Ashwell Prince have been moved in for the injured Smith and the out-of-form Mckenzie which makes some sense and Wayne Parnell has been added to the squad in place of Morne Morkel...
... and this is where I get irritated with selection in SA cricket. Where the hell is the consistency in moving players in and out.
Bowlers: First test match Lonwabo Tsotsobe is the 12th man and I as a fan believe he will be the replacement bowler if somebody moves out. The second test match, he gets drafted out and Albie Morkel moves to the bench. Third test match, MORNE Morkel gets dropped and Parnell moves into the lineup.... Who the hell is the next choice bowler?!
Personally I think that Tsotsobe or Parnell should be at the top of the line because they offer some variety with left-arm seam where as Albie Morkel (while offering something with the batting front) offers just straight-up right arm seam. Dunno...
Batters:
I think it is great that Khan got a hundred against the Aussies in the warm-up game and he has been the top domestic run getter so he deserves a chance to play. My question is - where was he in Australia or the T20's or the ODI games?
Suddenly the guy has been drafted in to the setup... where is the succession planning. As far as I knew the next two batters in line for international spots (based on selector behaviour) were Herschelle Gibbs and Vaughn Van Jaarsveld with Andrew Puttick on the fringes... Suddenly they are pulling in Khan....
In the same way I see that Ashwell Prince is supposedly going to open the innings. This doesn't make sense and we seem to be carrying on with this idea of "making" openers out of middle-order batters.... Dunno - no consistency.
Let's see how it goes
Sunday, March 1, 2009
276 with 8 wickets in hand
That's all that is needed for South Africa to once again re-write the record books against the Aussies at the Wanderers.
The Wanderers has been one of those happy hunting grounds for us and I don't think anyone is ever going to forget Herschelle Gibbs leading that historic run chase to break the ODI record.
The morning session will without question make or break this chase. If we lose one or two early wickets, then I don't see us making it. If Kallis and Amla get through unscathed then I expect the Aussies will drop their heads and we could waltz home...
.... but as somebody pointed out it only takes 8 perfect balls to win the game for them and with Mitchell Johnson in your corner I would never write them off.
I reckon South Africa is going to come to a standstill if we get through the first hour with no wickets down.
Even if you can't get to the game - if you're driving past the Wanderers make as much bloody noise as you can.... Let's beat the Aussies before they even set foot on the field today. Switch every television and radio to the cricket and let them know the whole country is backing them to protect our reputation in the Bullring...
C'mon boys - you can do it!!!!
The Wanderers has been one of those happy hunting grounds for us and I don't think anyone is ever going to forget Herschelle Gibbs leading that historic run chase to break the ODI record.
The morning session will without question make or break this chase. If we lose one or two early wickets, then I don't see us making it. If Kallis and Amla get through unscathed then I expect the Aussies will drop their heads and we could waltz home...
.... but as somebody pointed out it only takes 8 perfect balls to win the game for them and with Mitchell Johnson in your corner I would never write them off.
I reckon South Africa is going to come to a standstill if we get through the first hour with no wickets down.
Even if you can't get to the game - if you're driving past the Wanderers make as much bloody noise as you can.... Let's beat the Aussies before they even set foot on the field today. Switch every television and radio to the cricket and let them know the whole country is backing them to protect our reputation in the Bullring...
C'mon boys - you can do it!!!!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Cricket Strategist reviews the SA tourists
A 4-1 victory over Australia in the One Day Internationals (ODIs) wraps up the away leg of the tour. We look at some of the cricketers whose reputations were advanced and who went backward on the tour.
Advanced
JP Duminy: Without question the find of the tour. Runs, wickets and a reputation for being a tough and nuggety player under pressure. (10/10)
Graeme Smith: Love him or hate him, Smithy led from the front with runs and a tough as nails attitude that was apparent in the spirit shown by the entire side. (9/10)
Johan Botha: Following in the footsteps of Graeme Smith was always going to be tough. His bowling in the ODI's was tight and played his role to perfection. His stock definately advanced in world cricket ratings. (8/10)
AB Devilliers: A match winning innings that will probably never be forgotten. Devilliers has answered any doubts about his ability as a middle order batter in both forms of the game. (8/10)
Dale Steyn: The worlds premier fast bowler again showed his class and that partnership with Duminy which buried the Aussies will probably be the stuff of bar legends for MANY years to come (8/10)
Hashim Amla: I battled to judge Amla's performance. Without question he's proven he can play the game at this level and get runs in both the Test and ODI arena but I thought he got out at some bad times in the series. Answered any questions about his technique. (7/10)
Morne Morkel: Morkel came into the test series with a few questions hanging over his head. Plenty of fire and more importantly BRAINS in his bowling. (7/10)
Jacques Kallis: Bowled his heart out and made some important breakthroughs when they were needed. A little disappointed in his batting over the series though.... (7/10)
Makhaya Ntini: I reckon Ntini impressed this series. I think there were some concerns that he had grown a little long in the tooth but he delivered a solid performance (7/10)
Paul Harris: Harris played his role to perfection. Personal opinion - the Aussies didn't hold him in particularly high regard - but his hard work and scrapper spirit earned a few more fans. (7/10)
Albie Morkel - I'll confess I was a little surprised to see him named man of the series in the ODI's but he weighed in with some nice little contributions. Needs a bit of work on his bowling but a brave performance all in all. (7/10)
Unchanged / Too little to judge
Mark Boucher: I have to be honest and say Boucher didn't do much to advance his reputation in the series. Kept wicket solidly and chipped in with a few runs but really expected a bit more from him. (6/10)
Lonwabo Tsotsobe: A surprise inclusion for the tour he spent a lot of time on the sidelines. Four wickets on debut shows some ability, but he needs more game time. (6/10)
Wayne Parnell: A good opportunity for a youngster - can't say we had enough time to judge him. (6/10)
Ashwell Prince: Injury ruled him out early on. Without the injury the tour would not have belonged to Duminy though... makes you think.... (5/10)
Went backwards
Neil Mckenzie: He had such a vital role to play in the side and yet he never really got going. A few scratchy contributions but never seemed to stamp his authority on the game at any time. (5/10)
Herschelle Gibbs: Flashes of his true ability and one innings where he really got going. Going to have to work harder to deliver the runs to keep his place (5/10)
What a tour though... Can't wait till the Aussies hit our shores.
Advanced
JP Duminy: Without question the find of the tour. Runs, wickets and a reputation for being a tough and nuggety player under pressure. (10/10)
Graeme Smith: Love him or hate him, Smithy led from the front with runs and a tough as nails attitude that was apparent in the spirit shown by the entire side. (9/10)
Johan Botha: Following in the footsteps of Graeme Smith was always going to be tough. His bowling in the ODI's was tight and played his role to perfection. His stock definately advanced in world cricket ratings. (8/10)
AB Devilliers: A match winning innings that will probably never be forgotten. Devilliers has answered any doubts about his ability as a middle order batter in both forms of the game. (8/10)
Dale Steyn: The worlds premier fast bowler again showed his class and that partnership with Duminy which buried the Aussies will probably be the stuff of bar legends for MANY years to come (8/10)
Hashim Amla: I battled to judge Amla's performance. Without question he's proven he can play the game at this level and get runs in both the Test and ODI arena but I thought he got out at some bad times in the series. Answered any questions about his technique. (7/10)
Morne Morkel: Morkel came into the test series with a few questions hanging over his head. Plenty of fire and more importantly BRAINS in his bowling. (7/10)
Jacques Kallis: Bowled his heart out and made some important breakthroughs when they were needed. A little disappointed in his batting over the series though.... (7/10)
Makhaya Ntini: I reckon Ntini impressed this series. I think there were some concerns that he had grown a little long in the tooth but he delivered a solid performance (7/10)
Paul Harris: Harris played his role to perfection. Personal opinion - the Aussies didn't hold him in particularly high regard - but his hard work and scrapper spirit earned a few more fans. (7/10)
Albie Morkel - I'll confess I was a little surprised to see him named man of the series in the ODI's but he weighed in with some nice little contributions. Needs a bit of work on his bowling but a brave performance all in all. (7/10)
Unchanged / Too little to judge
Mark Boucher: I have to be honest and say Boucher didn't do much to advance his reputation in the series. Kept wicket solidly and chipped in with a few runs but really expected a bit more from him. (6/10)
Lonwabo Tsotsobe: A surprise inclusion for the tour he spent a lot of time on the sidelines. Four wickets on debut shows some ability, but he needs more game time. (6/10)
Wayne Parnell: A good opportunity for a youngster - can't say we had enough time to judge him. (6/10)
Ashwell Prince: Injury ruled him out early on. Without the injury the tour would not have belonged to Duminy though... makes you think.... (5/10)
Went backwards
Neil Mckenzie: He had such a vital role to play in the side and yet he never really got going. A few scratchy contributions but never seemed to stamp his authority on the game at any time. (5/10)
Herschelle Gibbs: Flashes of his true ability and one innings where he really got going. Going to have to work harder to deliver the runs to keep his place (5/10)
What a tour though... Can't wait till the Aussies hit our shores.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Transformation farce
I received the following article from hockey writer Jonathan Cook which he has asked us to forward around to the South African sports community.
I would love your feedback around transformation in schoolboy sports….:
Hi all
When will this farce end?
JONATHAN COOK
THE KZN Inland encounters with Western Province in Bellville a fortnight ago reflected the poison infecting SA cricket.
In order to hide the lack of genuine, grassroots (and I mean ‘grassroots’ – at the bottom, among young, talent-identification disadvantaged and advantaged white and black kids) development taking place in the midlands and in SA, ruling body Cricket South Africa has enforced window-dressing quotas disguised as “transformation”.
If CSA quite rightly, in terms of their policy, view Pakistani Imran Tahir as a “developed” or “advantaged” (white) player as he did not come through the national “development” system, how can Inland be allowed to pick fellow non-South Africans, from Pakistan or Zimbabwe, as they have done, as quota players among the stipulated five minimum in their league if they are also not a product of the SA “development” system.
For that matter, how was, and still is, Herschelle Gibbs considered part of the “development” quota in the Cobras and SA team if he was a product of top private school Bishops? For that matter, how was, and is, Makhaya Ntini considered the same seeing he was a product of fine cricket nursery Dale College.
Yes, Ntini may have been disadvantaged economically and so on at the time he was discovered by Border cricket officer Greg Hayes, but post that moment he became an integral part of the system. And, for that matter, how can 31-year-old Ntini and 34-year-old Gibbs still be part of the Proteas’ non-white quota on the field and in tour squads after playing a total of 181 Test matches and 417 limited-over internationals between them?
On a more personal level one can see the damage this transformation farce is doing.
Among the14-man Inland squad to meet WP in the three-dayer and subsequent one-dayer was Clint Bowyer.
Bowyer (23) has delivered outstanding service to Inland over the years. During Inland’s two-year life span as a first-class outfit going into the current season, the left-handed opener averaged 34 including a 98 in the three-dayers and 36 in the 45-over stuff – better than any of his challengers.
His pedigree is second to none. The Kokstad-born “Bodjie” was a few boundaries short of Jonty Rhodes’s aggregate runs in a first XI season at Maritzburg College and broke a decades-old record for most number of centuries. He went on to play for SA in the U19 World Cup. Pre-Inland’s elevation to first-class cricket, Bowyer was a whisker away from receiving the Associate Province player of the year, his stellar season marginally eclipsed by equally on-song team-mate Yusuf Abdullah.
A week before Bellville he made a gutsy 46 and then 11 against a Dolphins XI including the attack that troubled the Titans this weekend.
Yet Bowyer was left out of the three-day and one-day matches in Bellville. The “quota” openers who did play managed 23 between them in four innings. Aside from personal issues, this forced selection also impacts on team results, as the best team cannot be picked.
Hashim Amla falls under the quota banner, yet he went to DHS – an institution that has produced more SA Test cricketers than any other. Dolphins rookie David Miller went to top cricket school Maritzburg College. His father is an auctioneer; Hashim’s is a doctor. They both appear equally “advantaged”, yet they are classed differently in terms of “transformation”. Why?
At school level, players who are borderline first XI – or even second team cricketers - get to represent their province because they are the best available to fill the quota, leaving genuine provincial contenders to reflect on their unfortunate white skin colour and wonder whether this ridiculous method of selection warrants continuing with the game. Again, you encourage and support the development of players who do, and do not, come from a cricket culture at age-group level, with sustainable, targeted talent-identification development through the age groups – and most importantly you foster the culture of excellence – to be the best you can be – so that, right from the start, young cricketers (and young and old sportspeople in all SA sporting codes for that matter) learn that excellence is rewarded with selection to the teams they aspire to play for.
Probably the farce of all farces is the claim by CSA director of amateur cricket Max Jordaan on the CSA website that Shaun Pollock is one of the “fruits growing from the seeds planted in our development garden.”
For goodness’ sake, Polly had one of the best fast bowlers in SA history as a father, arguably the best ever SA batsman as an uncle, a top cricket school and the mentorship of fast bowling great Malcolm Marshall in his formative years.
In the CSA website section on “Developing Winners”, Jordaan writes: “Cricket in South Africa is certainly an agent of change, but this must not be construed as change at the expense of one community for another, or one individual for another.”
“Change in our cricket community has two objectives: it must be morally right, and it must be aimed at making us the best in the world.
“We have achieved the former and to achieve the latter we have to ensure that we develop and utilise all the human resources available to us.”
On just about every count, I feel that Jordaan is wrong.
The lack of genuine grass-roots development of disadvantaged South Africans, particularly those who may show talent but lack the wherewithal to take it further, is a crime.
Let’s stop window-dressing and deal with the real issues, the issues that take thought, planning and real commitment.
Let’s get real, let’s get honest, let’s be courageous.
I would love your feedback around transformation in schoolboy sports….:
Hi all
When will this farce end?
JONATHAN COOK
THE KZN Inland encounters with Western Province in Bellville a fortnight ago reflected the poison infecting SA cricket.
In order to hide the lack of genuine, grassroots (and I mean ‘grassroots’ – at the bottom, among young, talent-identification disadvantaged and advantaged white and black kids) development taking place in the midlands and in SA, ruling body Cricket South Africa has enforced window-dressing quotas disguised as “transformation”.
If CSA quite rightly, in terms of their policy, view Pakistani Imran Tahir as a “developed” or “advantaged” (white) player as he did not come through the national “development” system, how can Inland be allowed to pick fellow non-South Africans, from Pakistan or Zimbabwe, as they have done, as quota players among the stipulated five minimum in their league if they are also not a product of the SA “development” system.
For that matter, how was, and still is, Herschelle Gibbs considered part of the “development” quota in the Cobras and SA team if he was a product of top private school Bishops? For that matter, how was, and is, Makhaya Ntini considered the same seeing he was a product of fine cricket nursery Dale College.
Yes, Ntini may have been disadvantaged economically and so on at the time he was discovered by Border cricket officer Greg Hayes, but post that moment he became an integral part of the system. And, for that matter, how can 31-year-old Ntini and 34-year-old Gibbs still be part of the Proteas’ non-white quota on the field and in tour squads after playing a total of 181 Test matches and 417 limited-over internationals between them?
On a more personal level one can see the damage this transformation farce is doing.
Among the14-man Inland squad to meet WP in the three-dayer and subsequent one-dayer was Clint Bowyer.
Bowyer (23) has delivered outstanding service to Inland over the years. During Inland’s two-year life span as a first-class outfit going into the current season, the left-handed opener averaged 34 including a 98 in the three-dayers and 36 in the 45-over stuff – better than any of his challengers.
His pedigree is second to none. The Kokstad-born “Bodjie” was a few boundaries short of Jonty Rhodes’s aggregate runs in a first XI season at Maritzburg College and broke a decades-old record for most number of centuries. He went on to play for SA in the U19 World Cup. Pre-Inland’s elevation to first-class cricket, Bowyer was a whisker away from receiving the Associate Province player of the year, his stellar season marginally eclipsed by equally on-song team-mate Yusuf Abdullah.
A week before Bellville he made a gutsy 46 and then 11 against a Dolphins XI including the attack that troubled the Titans this weekend.
Yet Bowyer was left out of the three-day and one-day matches in Bellville. The “quota” openers who did play managed 23 between them in four innings. Aside from personal issues, this forced selection also impacts on team results, as the best team cannot be picked.
Hashim Amla falls under the quota banner, yet he went to DHS – an institution that has produced more SA Test cricketers than any other. Dolphins rookie David Miller went to top cricket school Maritzburg College. His father is an auctioneer; Hashim’s is a doctor. They both appear equally “advantaged”, yet they are classed differently in terms of “transformation”. Why?
At school level, players who are borderline first XI – or even second team cricketers - get to represent their province because they are the best available to fill the quota, leaving genuine provincial contenders to reflect on their unfortunate white skin colour and wonder whether this ridiculous method of selection warrants continuing with the game. Again, you encourage and support the development of players who do, and do not, come from a cricket culture at age-group level, with sustainable, targeted talent-identification development through the age groups – and most importantly you foster the culture of excellence – to be the best you can be – so that, right from the start, young cricketers (and young and old sportspeople in all SA sporting codes for that matter) learn that excellence is rewarded with selection to the teams they aspire to play for.
Probably the farce of all farces is the claim by CSA director of amateur cricket Max Jordaan on the CSA website that Shaun Pollock is one of the “fruits growing from the seeds planted in our development garden.”
For goodness’ sake, Polly had one of the best fast bowlers in SA history as a father, arguably the best ever SA batsman as an uncle, a top cricket school and the mentorship of fast bowling great Malcolm Marshall in his formative years.
In the CSA website section on “Developing Winners”, Jordaan writes: “Cricket in South Africa is certainly an agent of change, but this must not be construed as change at the expense of one community for another, or one individual for another.”
“Change in our cricket community has two objectives: it must be morally right, and it must be aimed at making us the best in the world.
“We have achieved the former and to achieve the latter we have to ensure that we develop and utilise all the human resources available to us.”
On just about every count, I feel that Jordaan is wrong.
The lack of genuine grass-roots development of disadvantaged South Africans, particularly those who may show talent but lack the wherewithal to take it further, is a crime.
Let’s stop window-dressing and deal with the real issues, the issues that take thought, planning and real commitment.
Let’s get real, let’s get honest, let’s be courageous.
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