Gibbs 8212; precocious talent

Herschelle Gibbs may not be the best known of South Africa8217;s multi-talented cricketers but by the time the World Cup gets into full swing he could be one of the tournament8217;s most destructive batsmen. As the South African squad8217;s only mixed-race player, Gibbs is fully aware of the pressure he is under to convince the sceptics back home that he was selected on merit rather than because of any political expediency. It is a subject that has him bristling with indignation.

In the build-up to the tournament he got himself in hot water over comments he made when quizzed yet again over the issue of colour. quot;What I said in a magazine interview was taken out of context but yes I wish I was judged on my cricketing skills alone rather than my colour,quot; said Gibbs. South Africa coach Bob Woolmer says he spotted Gibbs8217; talent when the player was just 11 years old. quot;From what I saw I knew he would be something special,quot; said Woolmer. quot;He was a precocious talent even then.quot;

Had he not suffered a cruciate knee ligamentinjury when he was 16, Gibbs could have ended up playing rugby. He was a brilliant flyhalf, although soccer was always his first love. quot;In South Africa soccer is more prestigious than cricket and at one point I had hopes of playing for my country,quot; Gibbs said. quot;Now cricket is my livelihood and I don8217;t intend to let the opportunity go.quot;