Former South Africa batsman Herschelle Gibbs has predicted that his old team-mates will continue their fine run of form and inflict a heavy defeat on the Australians in their forthcoming series.
Gibbs, who averaged over 40 with the bat in his 90 tests for the Proteas thinks that the experience and confidence that South Africa have built up over the last couple of years will be enough for them to defeat Michael Clarke’s men. ''I've said all along South Africa have been a most consistent team home and away in the last three years - they've got a very solid Test squad” Gibbs said. ''They should be the favourites to win … they probably should win 2-0.''
Most Cricket betting previews agree with Gibbs and put South Africa as favourites, given they knocked England off the top spot in the test rankings with victory on English soil in the summer.
Gibbs puts the rise of Proteas down to consistency of selection and being able to build a strong team ethic. ''I think the Test side have been together for a good couple of years,'' Gibbs said. ''It's having the same players and gelling as a unit and knowing each others' games and drawing inspiration and confidence from each other - that's exactly what the Test squad's been” he said.
South Africa have only been defeated in one series since April 2006 and their victory in England was fitting reward for years of hard work. Punters at Betfair cricket find it hard to imagine Graeme Smith allowing his side to lose the momentum that they have built up ahead of their trip down under. However there are fewer more difficult places to play cricket and their only series defeat in the last six and a half years came against Australia.
The first Test between Australia and South Africa begins in Brisbane on 9th November and, if Smith can lead his side to victory, then surely even England wouldn’t begrudge calling them the best Test team in the world.
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