Gibson’s ‘go for it’ approach pays off

OVERTHINKING and underdoing can stifle the strengths of cricket teams‚ making them better at talking a good game than playing it.

England‚ South Africa coach Ottis Gibson’s former employers‚ are past masters of this.

Maybe that is why Gibson is relishing instilling what could be called a think less‚ do more approach in South Africa’s dressingroom.

That applies to his thoughts on bowling.

“I’m a very fast-bowling-minded coach and I guess we will always have to find a balance: can we get four fast bowlers in the team?

“If not, we try and shape the team in other ways.” And on batting. “If you think that‚ on a wicket like this‚ there’s always a ball with your name on it then the simple approach is to make sure you get your runs before that ball gets you. Play positively.

“Pitches will lend themselves to pace and seam movement and batsmen have to adapt‚ but ultimately once you’re there you’ve got to try and get runs.”

Gibson spoke as the dust settled on South Africa’s stirring victory‚ by 72 runs‚ over India in the first test at Newlands on Monday on a pitch that was not shy about backing pace bowling.

Vernon Philander took a career-best 6/42 in the second innings. Morne Morkel took four wickets in the match and kept the pressure on the Indians with his accurate bowling.

Kagiso Rabada claimed five scalps‚ and rose to the top of the test bowling rankings yesterday.

Whatever Gibson is doing, and thinking, it is working.