Gibbs to continue batting at No. 4

Herschelle Gibbs: in superb form in the one-dayers against England © Getty Images

After making a superb century to put South Africa 2-1 up in the Standard Bank one-day series against England, Herschelle Gibbs expressed his desire to continue batting at No. 4 in one-day internationals, and suggested that he would be open to moving down the order in Test cricket as well.

"It's a new position for me and I'd like to make it my own," Gibbs said after his matchwinning knock of 100 at Cape Town. "It's nice to be part of three century partnerships in the last three games and hopefully there are a few more to come. Our middle order is still a bit inexperienced and that's obviously the reason why they wanted me down there."

In his three innings at No. 4, Gibbs scored 78, 50 and 100, and looked fairly comfortable. Speaking about the challenges involved in the new position, Gibbs said, "It takes a different mindset to bat down there. When I go in, I have to keep the momentum going, by manipulating and manoeuvring the ball around. We know how important it is to keep the scoreboard ticking over between the 15th and 30th overs, when a team can sometimes get bogged down. So we need to bat with urgency, but not do anything stupid."

Abraham de Villiers has replaced Gibbs as Graeme Smith's opening partner in the last three one-dayers. Though de Villiers scored just 45 in three innings, Gibbs was confident that this was only a temporary blip. "AB de Villiers has thrown a bit of a spanner in the works. He is a very promising youngster and he deserves a run in the opening spot, though he is still finding his feet. There have been a few guys tried in the middle order and nobody has put their hand up and really made it their place." de Villiers had an excellent Test series, scoring 362 runs - including his maiden hundred in the last match - at more than 40.

Gibbs also indicated that he might not be averse to opening in Tests. "To be honest, though, I am very relaxed when I am waiting for my chance to bat," he said. "Let someone else worry about facing the new ball." Speaking on that subject, Smith said: "It is something we need to discuss. It is some time before our next Test match [against Zimbabwe at Newlands next month], but it is a serious possibility."