SPORTS

South Africa to reshuffle batting order

December 24, 2006 15:05 IST

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.

AB de Villiers is likely to open with Smith as South Africa reshuffle its 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.

"AB 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 has 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."

 

Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

Recommended by Rediff.com

NEXT ARTICLE

NewsBusinessMoviesSportsCricketGet AheadDiscussionLabsMyPageVideosCompany Email