Andrew James Hall

Profile:

This right-handed opener/middle order batsman has been playing for the senior WP team since he made his debut, at the age of 16, in 1990/91. Having always looked a classy batsman, the acquisition of West Indian Desmond Haynes and an increasingly powerful WP batting line-up gave Gibbs the opportunity to flourish as an opener and make strong claims on the national side. This attacking stroke-player has the ability to play all the text-book shots (the straight drive being particularly impressive), and then some (especially the aerial sweep to the second story in the North Stand at Newlands), to all parts of the ground, but has in the past suffered from impatience early on in his innings. The lesson of having lost too many of his wickets in this way has shown signs of having sunk in during the 1996/7 season, and with a bit more discipline, Western Province and South Africa can expect many more runs to flow from his bat. Gibbs has managed during the past season to lift his fielding to a level of excellence to the degree that he equals Jonty Rhodes in the point position in all aspects but crowd support and reputation.