World Cup 2019: Herschelle Gibbs wanted Reeza Hendricks to be part of South Africa squad

South Africa recently announced their ICC World Cup 2019 squad and though many of the picks were expected, some of the choices made heads turn and omissions like that of Chris Morris and Reeza Hendricks have not gone down well with some former players. Dwaine Pretorius and Aiden Markram were picked over the aforementioned duo and though Hendricks had done everything possible to make a claim, CSA selectors chose to go with the more experienced Markram.

Though the opening pair will most likely be Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock, the fight between Hendricks and Markram was for the no.3 spot in the playing XI. Former SA batsman Herschelle Gibbs felt that Hendricks was the better choice in the World Cup squad and is disappointed for omitting him.

Reeza is able to maintain tempo throughout the innings, says Gibbs

He also opined that though Rassie van der Dussen has been amazing, his ability to shift gears when the team bats first is a bit subdued for his liking. “Rassie has made a great start. But I have an issue with comparing when we chase to when we bat first. Shifting through the gears in the initial part of his innings when batting first is a little subdued for me,” Gibbs was quoted as saying by SACricketmag.com.

“Reeza, who is an opening batsman, he is able to maintain a tempo throughout the innings and I would have liked to see him at No 3 position and keep that opener’s approach and keep the momentum going,” he further added.

Gibbs further said, ‘When you have Faf du Plessis coming in at No 4, he can stabilize and then push on in the latter part of the innings. Obviously Markram because of his weight of runs in domestic cricket over the last couple of months, he is the in-form top order batsman. I feel a little disappointment for Reeza, but those are my reasons.’

South Africa will begin their World Cup tournament against England on May 30.

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