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Herschelle Gibbs

Herschelle Gibbs
Herschelle Gibbs Image: Wikimedia Commons. YellowMonkey/Blnguyen / CC BY-SA 4.0

Herschelle Herman Gibbs (born 23 February 1974) is a South African cricket coach and former cricketer who represented South Africa across all three formats of the international game over a career spanning fourteen years. A right-handed batsman who mostly opened the innings, Gibbs is widely regarded as one of the most naturally gifted cricketers South Africa has produced, and was also noted for his fielding abilities.

Key facts

Full name Herschelle Herman Gibbs
Born 23 February 1974
Nationality South African
Batting style Right-handed
Primary role Opening batsman
Formats played Test, One Day International, Twenty20 International
International career length Fourteen years
Current role Cricket coach

Background

Gibbs emerged as a top-order batsman for South Africa, predominantly featuring as an opener. His attacking style of batting and his agility in the field shaped his reputation throughout his international career.

Career

Batting

During the 2007 Cricket World Cup, Gibbs became the first player to hit six consecutive sixes in a single over in One Day International cricket. The feat was achieved in a match against the Netherlands.

Fielding

Gibbs was widely recognised as an excellent fielder. According to a report published by ESPNcricinfo in 2005, in the period since the 1999 Cricket World Cup, he had effected the eighth highest number of run-outs in ODI cricket of any fieldsman, with the tenth highest success rate.

After playing

Following his playing career, Gibbs has worked as a cricket coach.

Significance

Gibbs's six-sixes-in-an-over feat at the 2007 Cricket World Cup remains a landmark moment in the history of One Day International cricket, having been the first such instance in the format. Combined with his fielding record and his longevity at the international level, his career is regarded as a notable chapter in South African cricket.

References