- Former Proteas batsman Herschelle Gibbs believes South Africa will fail to pull off a win in their Test series against Australia.
- The Proteas will tour Australia for a three match test series over the festive season.
- Gibbs says he is concerned about the Proteas batting lineup as they have struggled in the past to turn promising scores into centuries.
Former Proteas star Herschelle Gibbs believes Proteas will struggle on their upcoming test tour to Australia.
The Proteas head Down Under for a three-match Test series over the festive season, with the first Test starting on December 17 in Brisbane.
It will be the first assignment for Proteas interim manager Malibongwe Maketa after Mark Boucher resigned following last month’s T20 World Cup in Australia.
The Proteas departs for Australia on Thursday with a 16-man team led by Proteas skipper Dean Elgar.
Proteas test team:
Dean Elgar (captain, Titans), Temba Bavuma (Lions), Gerald Coetzee (Knights), Theunis de Bruyn (Titans), Sarel Erwee (Dolphins), Simon Harmer (Titans), Marco Jansen (Warriors), Heinrich Klaasen (Titans) , Keshav Maharaj (Dolphins), Lungi Ngidi (Titans), Anrich Nortje (Warriors), Kagiso Rabada (Lions), Glenton Stuurman (Warriors), Rassie van der Dussen (Lions), Kyle Verreynne (goalkeeper, Western Province), Khaya Zondo (dolphins)
The Proteas suffered a 2-1 Test series defeat against England in September and will have to deal with an in-form Australian attack next month.
Gibbs, who played 90 Tests and scored 6,167 Test runs for South Africa, reckons Elgar’s men won’t even be able to salvage a draw.
“Look, I mean, you know the career statistics when it comes to hitters … I think you know you can promote them as much as you want,” Gibbs said on the sidelines of the Gary and Vivienne Player Invitational.
“We have a wonderful bowling attack, but to win Test matches or a Test series, you need runs up the board. Can we do that? Our batsmen average less than 40…
“You compare them [with Australia]. I can’t see us winning, let alone drawing. [the Test series].”
Only two SA batsmen have scored centuries this year, with Sarel Erwee (108) and Kyle Verreynne (136*) scoring tons in Christchurch.
Gibbs feels the Proteas need to be consistent with the bat if they have a chance to beat Australia in their own backyard this summer.
“It was the same when the lads went to England. Career statistics tell a story and I don’t want to be so pessimistic, but statistics don’t lie,” Gibbs said.
“Who was going to get a hundred? The guys haven’t gotten a hundred in two years. Temba (Bavuma) hasn’t gotten a hundred in six years.
“Those are the hard questions to ask. Who will ask them and how will they reach conclusions or solutions? Only time will tell.”
South Africa will also host a four-day unofficial match against Cricket Australia XI from December 9-12 at Allan Border Field in Brisbane.
