Cape Town - Former Proteas batsman Herschelle Gibbs is set to make his return to cricket on the Western Province club scene.
According to Club Cricket SA, Gibbs will play for Pinelands Cricket Club in their Western Province Cricket Association first division B fixture against Hottentots Holland Cricket Club on Saturday (November 25).
Gibbs’ arrival is another boost for a Pinelands Cricket Club XI already brimming with confidence on the back of consecutive victories over Bishop Lavis Cricket Club and Kuils River Cricket Club.
“Herschelle is still hungry to play and test himself. The fact that guys like him, who have played at the highest level, are still keen to play club cricket is great for the game in general,” Pinelands Cricket Club chairperson Steven Westraad told Club Cricket SA.
“We try really hard at Pinelands, looking after the youngsters and ensuring there is a mentorship aspect to our cricket. Gibbs’ presence will help that - and it’s great to see youngsters having a bowl at him.
“Teams will have their ups and downs on the field, but the success and longevity of a club is really about what you do around those results, ensuring guys come back and are keen to remain part of a real community. Gibbs sees that within our club and wants to be a part of it.”
The 43-year-old Gibbs has not played competitive cricket since February 2016, when he represented the Leo Lions in the Masters Champions League.
The hard-hitting right-hander amassed almost 15 000 runs, including 35 centuries, across 90 Tests, 248 ODIs and 23 T20Is between 1996 and 2010. He also played for the St Lucia Zouks in the 2013 Caribbean Premier League.
He played for Avendale Cricket Club and Northerns Goodwood Cricket Club during his formative years.