Gibbs escapes further ban

Herschelle Gibbs will be available for selection when South Africa tour Zimbabwe later this year following a disciplinary hearing in Johannesburg on Thursday evening.

Gibbs was called before the hearing after admitting smoking marijuana during South Africa's recent tour of the West Indies. At the time of the incident Gibbs had a R10 000 fine and a three-match suspended sentence hanging over his head as a result of being found out in a night club the evening before a one-day international in Cape Town last year.

Surprisingly, however, this suspended sentence has been extended for a further year on condition that Gibbs successfully completes "a mentoring programme" which would include "counselling in life skills necessary for a professional sportsman and role model".

The United Cricket Board disciplinary committee also stipulated that Gibbs "not engage in unbecoming or detrimental conduct which could bring them, the Board or the game of cricket into disrepute".

It goes without saying that Gibbs, who was banned for six months last year for his involvement in the match-fixing scandal, is extraordinarily fortunate not to have had his suspended sentence invoked.

Quite why this should be the case is not clear, although the statement issued by the disciplinary committee on Thursday makes reference to representations made on behalf of Gibbs. Among those representing the player were former South African wicketkeeper Dave Richardson.

In a statement issued after the meeting Gibbs said: "I believe this is a fair outcome and a constructive way of dealing with the matter. I'm relieved it is over so I can move forward and concentrate on my cricket."

One reason for this apparent leniency could be that the UCB's code of conduct does not accord fully with the provisions of South African labour law.

Whatever the case, the UCB may well have set an unfortunate precedent for itself as well as sending out confusing signals about the standards of behaviour and discipline expected from members of the national side.