Gibbs delays departure for India

Herschelle Gibbs will be available for the Cape Cobras in the first three championship matches © AFP Enlarge

Herschelle Gibbs, the South African opener, will arrive in India for the Champions Trophy a week after his team-mates in order to allow his attorney to accompany him. Gibbs faces questioning by the Indian police for his alleged involvement in the match-fixing scandal during South Africa's tour of India in 2000.

The South African press reported that Gibbs will arrive on October 11, as his attorney would be unable to travel before the date. Gibbs faces two rounds of questioning, on October 12 and 14.

Meanwhile, his delayed departure will allow him to represent his domestic side Cape Cobras in their first three matches of the MTN domestic competition - against the Titans, the Warriors and the Eagles respectively. His presence would be a bonus for the Cobras, who are already reinforced by the availability of Ashwell Prince, who captained South Africa in the Tests against Sri Lanka recently and Adam Bacher, the former South African batsman.

Shuki Conrad, the Cape Cobras coach, was upbeat looking ahead to the season.

"We struggled last season because we failed at important stages of some matches," Conrad said. "But I believe we will do better this season. The experience that Adam Bacher brings to the team will be invaluable. I worked with him at the Lions. He will certainly have a calming influence on the other players and will help stabilise the batting order."

The Cobras and Titans will play each other in the inaugural match of the MTN Domestic Championship in a day/night encounter at Centurion on September 29.