Graeme Smith and Herschelle Gibbs on why Test cricket is the future

This content was originally posted in 7DAYS UAE website at: Graeme Smith and Herschelle Gibbs on why Test cricket is the future Adrian Back sits down and talks all things cricket with South Africa legends Graeme Smith and Herschelle Gibbs. It’s not often you get the chance to sit down with a cricketing legend to discuss all aspects of the game, let alone with two at the same time. But that’s exactly the opportunity we were given when we spent the morning with South African greats Graeme Smith and Herschelle Gibbs. Here the former opening partners look back on their incredible careers, discuss the state of the game and talk honestly about each other. To start things off, Herschelle, what was Graeme like as a captain?   Gibbs: He was hard, but he always led from the front. Having been with him through most of his career I saw how he matured as a person, a player, and a captain. And for me personally, our opening partnership was when I played some of the best cricket of my career. We went into battle together and it’s very special. I have all the fondest memories of us batting together. And Graeme, was what it like captaining a free-spirited player like Herschelle?  Smith: You learnt very quickly with Hersch that you didn’t want to curb his natural flair. As you can see sitting next to me he still hasn’t lost it. The thing is we complimented each other really well. We put on three 300-run partnerships, which is something that hasn’t been done as an opening pair before. His flair was a huge asset to me as an opening batter, as it took some pressure off me, and as a captain he was someone you knew could turn the game on its head. Being named captain at 22 must have been quite tough?  Smith: It was very challenging. I was really fortunate that I got two double hundreds on that early England tour and that took some of the pressure off me. It gave me the space to make some mistakes. I remember in 2007 I had been captaining South Africa for four years and I think that’s when I started to develop as a leader. And that’s when we enjoyed great success. How tough was the decision to walk away from the game?  Smith: Well I retired quite young, at 33, so I still feel like I could be playing at the highest level. I was blessed to have an amazing career of 15 years but being captain for such a long time did take its toll. I’ve given so much of my life to the game so I don’t think it will ever leave me, cricket will always be in my blood. Herschelle, you’ll turn 42 next year, is retirement on the mind?  Gibbs: I last played in 2013, but I’m exceptionally hungry and have I put my name down for everything. I’ve just had no bites. I’ve played one of two charity games and the hunger is still there. Cricket has been my life and that fire hasn’t left me yet. So how exciting is it to dust off the pads to play in the Masters Champions League next year in the UAE?  Gibbs: I can’t wait. I still feel I have a lot to offer and it will be great to see the guys who we’ve spent more than 10 years playing with and against. Smith: To be honest I stayed away from cricket for a year and a bit but I’m amped and excited to join the ranks. I think it was only two years ago I got a double hundred in this region so it will be great to get back out there and have a blast. T20 has become hugely popular around the globe, but do you feel it is impacting Test cricket in a negative way?  Gibbs: It makes for an interesting discussion. I personally don’t think that the standard of international cricket is as strong as it used to be. And that is because of this huge influx of T20 cricket. For me I don’t think Bangladesh, Pakistan and the West Indies should have T20 leagues because we can see their cricket is going one way, and that’s down. For me the standard has come down as players aren’t getting that first-class grounding and don’t know how to execute their skills. Smith: I think everyone wants a quick fix. Youngsters don’t have the patience to work their way up and the administrators are trying to flaunt T20 from a commercial perspective. I’ve always been a believer that it has to be more about substance. People will turn up and watch when there is real competition. AB de Villiers didn’t build his game through T20. He is the most dynamic batsman in the world. If there is one icon to look up to, it’s him. Are you worried players will be tempted by the money and ignore Test cricket?  Gibbs: I hope not. For me the contest is what makes our sport exciting and that is best witnessed in Test cricket. Smith: The joy of being successful is challenging yourself, so winning away from home in Test matches. Our record of nine years without an away series loss, that is something we are immensely proud of. To grow up on fast bouncy wickets in Joburg and make a double hundred in the sub-continent, that was something special. Learning how to bat on different wickets, it was part of not being a fly-by-night international cricketer. Finally, you both enjoyed incredible success with South Africa, but what do you make of the current squad?  Smith: They are having a tough series in India as the pitches have negated the South African side somewhat. One thing I will say is that if these are the wickets they are going to be playing on then Virat Kohli is only going to start averaging 35, so I think we will see them revert pretty quickly. But there is so much talent in South Africa. For me, AB is by far and away the best batter in the world. Bowlers are starting to get a fear factor of bowling at him and that plays into his hands even more.   Read the original story at: Graeme Smith and Herschelle Gibbs on why Test cricket is the future