Player of the Match Herschelle Gibbs, whose brisk half-century guided Cape Cobras to a seven-wicket win over NSW Blues on Saturday, said that he was “fit and hungry” for success in the Champions League T20.
“These are exactly the sort of stages that I like to play on. I've been in the wilderness for a while. If I break into the Proteas line up again, well and good…even if I don't I'm still enjoying playing,” said the 37-year-old.
Although he spanked five fours and two sixes in his 47-ball 55, Gibbs said the Chepauk wicket was slow to bat on throughout.
The South African batsman was also impressed by NSW's 18-year-old fast bowler Pat Cummins, who extracted steepling lift from a lethargic track.
“In the first six overs the back of the length ball died a little and didn't come through. There was little or no turn, which was surprising.
“Pat Cummins bowled fast but he was on the same spot ball after ball. This is not Australia where you can keep banging the ball in. But he's young and pacy and a good prospect.”
Cobras skipper Justin Kemp, though satisfied with the win, said there was room for improvement in fielding. Cobras dropped both openers (Shane Watson and David Warner) in the first three overs of NSW's nnings.
“We didn't field well at the start. As a South African outfit we pride ourselves on our fielding. We can't expect to drop the big guys and then get away with it every time. But our bowlers performed well at the backend, and then our batting got us home.”
Losing skipper Simon Katich felt his team went downhill after a great start. NSW Blues was on 54 for one after the first Powerplay, but regular wickets pegged it back to just 135.
“We had a very good start, which was aided by their (Cobras) sloppy fielding. But we were unable to build on that. In the middle overs they started taking the pace off the ball.
“Initially I thought 150 would have been a good score, but seeing the way Cobras batted, we'd have been more comfortable with 160. Langeveldt and Steyn really shut us out in the last few overs.”
