Slaughter of lambs at African safari

It is four years since Herschelle Gibbs last scored a century in Sri Lanka, the difference being that the effort at Kurunegala in 1998 was i...

It is four years since Herschelle Gibbs last scored a century in Sri Lanka, the difference being that the effort at Kurunegala in 1998 was in a first-class match with a bowling attack of dubious reputation. Today it was played at a faster rate and contained the usual Gibbs’ flamboyance; well, as lavish as Gibbs can bat under such circumstances.

Whether Gibbs can claim the century on both occasions was due to a Poya (purnima) holiday is another matter. It is highly unlikely he would understand the significance of the Buddhist holiday on the Emerald Isle as he rattled off his eighth limited overs international century in a South Africa total of 316 for five against Kenya.

SCOREBOARD

South Africa: G Smith st D Obuya b Odumbe 69, H Gibbs c D Obuya b Kamande 116, J Kallis st D Obuya b Tikolo 60, H Dippenaar st D Obuya b C Obuya 31, D Benkenstein c M Suji b C Obuya 7, L Klusener not out 18, J Ontong not out 4; Extras (b-4, lb-1, w-2, nb-4): 11
Total (For 5 wkts, 50 overs): 316
Fall of wickets: 1-159, 2-214, 3-287, 4-291, 5-299
Bowling: M.Suji 8-0-42-0, Odoyo 7-0-42-0, A.Suji 3-0-19-0, Odumbe 10-0-52-1, C.Obuya 10-0-77-2, Tikolo 10-1-54-1, Kamande 2-0-25-1.

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Kenya: K.Otieno c Benkenstein b Ntini 16; R.Shah c Kallis b Pollock 3; B.Patel c Pollock b Dawson 0; S.Tikolo c Smith b Ontong 69; M.Odumbe c sub b Ntini 0; T.Odoyo c Gibbs b Ontong 10; C.Obuya lbw Benkenstein 14; D.Obuya st Boucher b Ontong 2; A.Suji b Benkenstein 4; J.Kamande not out 2; M.Suji c Klusener b Benkenstein 2; Extras: (b1, lb2, nb3, w12): 18; Total: (all out, 46.5 overs): 140
Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-5, 3-61, 4-64, 5-89, 6-119, 7-126, 8-131, 9-134
Bowling: Pollock 6-2-10-1, Dawson 5-1-12-1, Klusener 5-1-23-0, Ntini 10-2-37-2, Kallis 6-1-17-0, Ontong 10-1-30-3, Benkenstein 3.5-1-5-3, Smith 1-0-3-0

The victory margin of 176 runs was not too surprising as South Africa fell only three runs short of equalling the highest LOI score at Premadasa Stadium, scored by Pakistan. It was the highest by South Africa against Kenya.

As Graeme Smith batted with more assurance and organisation against Kenya than did Gibbs, it seemed that the Cape Town batsman was looking for the radar system. At times he was so muddled in his approach that the long hops and full tosses the Kenyan bowlers delivered were at first left unpunished.

Kenya’s batting continued in a similar fashion as their bowling when they displayed less conviction. Whether it is because they seem to have a thing about West Indies bowling since that 1996 World Cup upset at Pune is uncertain. Steve Tikolo apart, their collapse was inevitable. Having scored 93 against West Indies, Tikolo pulled together 69 against African rivals South Africa with 11 boundaries in a stay of 143 minutes. It was always entertaining stuff when Tikolo bats and it is a pity that his lone hand so often carries the Kenyan hopes of building a total.

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They were not in with even a squeak tonight once he departed: the sixth wicket to fall against an attack which was of mixed strength. When Dale Benkenstein manages three wickets for five runs in 3.3 overs and all-rounder Justin Ontong’s 10 overs result in three for 30, the quality of bowling is below your normal international level. At least they seemed to enjoy themselves.

It was Smith who led South Africa’s initial assault during an impressive first wicket partnership of 159 before he fell to Tony Suji, being stumped by a ball which deceived his flashing bat and ironically it was after this bit of Kenyan handiwork that Gibbs found his touch at last.

Gibbs went on to score 116 off 125 balls with 11 boundaries. Once he got his timing right it was pretty mechanical stuff. A push here, a drive there and an occasional slog. He was not under any pressure.

Yet for a batsman of his class, an average of less than 32 before this innings says little for his class and talent. Especially when he has more than 100 innings to his name. He can do a lot better than this.