Sydney, Dec 13: South African batsman Herschelle Gibbs is ready to play for the Perth Scorchers in the Twenty20 Big Bash League starting this week even if it isn’t under coach Mickey Arthur.
Gibbs originally signed for the Scorchers to play under Arthur, who coached him in the South African national team, but with the mentor taking the job with Australia that will no longer be happening.
However, Gibbs isn''t concerned with that or his hand injury and the batsman is just looking forward to getting his first hit out for the Scorchers at the WACA Ground on Sunday against the Hobart Hurricanes, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.
“It is good to go. I didn’t want to take any chances back home knowing that I was going to come here,” Gibbs said of his hand.
“It has always been a fantastic place to play (in Australia). I’ve got good memories even though it has been a hard 15 years that I have been coming here. The WACA wicket is quite a good one too so I am looking forward to it for sure,” he said.
As for Arthur, Gibbs isn’t surprised to see him get the job as Australian coach and is sure he will do a good job even if it means the reason he signed up with the Scorchers is gone.
“His CV is quite a good one and I’m sure he will do very well with the national team, but it’s just the way things happen. I am here and I am going to make the most of it,” Gibbs said.
“It was him more or less that led me to signing here. I did have two months off because I don''t play any first-class cricket back home, and having played under Mickey for quite a good few years I spoke to him, and took up the challenge. I am still looking forward to that,” he added.
© ANI
