Proteas focused on the cricket - Gibson

Standard Bank Proteas head coach, Ottis Gibson, says his squad remains focused on the cricket ahead of the second Sunfoil Test match against Australia starting in Port Elizabeth on Friday, despite ongoing off-field distractions. The Proteas regrouped in the coastal city on Wednesday afternoon with a lengthy practice session at St George’s Park. Gibson says the squad is in good spirits despite the disappointing 118-run loss in the first Test in Durban and is motivated to put in a series-levelling performance in the second Test.
The coach has asked for an improved performance with the bat after an encouraging stand in the second innings, and believes his batsmen will be better suited to adapt and to counter Australia’s attack, and in particular Mitchell Starc. The seven-batter formula proved to be effective for the team in Durban, but that may change for the second match depending on conditions. Gibson expects a ‘typical’ Port Elizabeth wicket, which by past accounts will be slow with the opportunity to extract reverse-swing. The last time the Proteas played Australia at St George’s Park, Dale Steyn served up a fiery second-innings spell of 4/55 with a reversing ball to help the team to a series-levelling 231-run win. The Proteas will be without Steyn this time around, but have enough ammunition in the attack to make an impact.