Cricket
Gibbs: I've been very open
2010-11-02 07:37
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Johannesburg - South Africa cricketer Herschelle Gibbs defended his controversial autobiography at its launch on Monday, calling the description of drinking, drugs and sexual antics on cricket tours an "open and honest account" of his 14 years with the national team.
Gibbs said he had not "targeted" any of his team-mates in his book "To The Point," which also says current captain Graeme Smith was "simply too powerful" and was part of a "clique" of senior players that included Jacques Kallis, Mark Boucher and AB de Villiers.
The book addresses Gibbs' battle with alcohol and a stint in rehabilitation, his marijuana smoking on a tour to the West Indies, and a six-month ban in 2000 for his part in a match-fixing scandal that surrounded the late South Africa captain Hansie Cronje - which Gibbs said was the biggest regret of his career.
There are also details of sexual escapades between South African players and local girls, and in some cases group sex in hotels, on a tour to Australia in 1997-1998.
But, it's Gibbs' opinion on the role of Smith and the other senior players under former Proteas coach Mickey Arthur that has created tensions between the 36-year-old opening batsman and his fellow cricketers.
"When you're that forthcoming and honest you are bound to face that sort of criticism. I've been that honest. It's not surprising," Gibbs said at the book's launch at a Johannesburg restaurant.
"That particular clique of Graeme and Mark and Jacques, and to a certain extent AB, were very outspoken when Mickey was coach. I've made it clear in the book that I thought that around Graeme, Mickey buckled a little bit. That's how I saw it."
Gibbs said Smith had sent him a message earlier on Monday to ask him if he really thought he was "too powerful."
"My answer to him was it didn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out," Gibbs said.
Smith, who is leading South Africa in an ongoing series against Pakistan, told reporters on Sunday the players were "very disappointed" with the revelations by the 36-year-old Gibbs, who was not included in the squad.
Gibbs said he expected criticism, but "hopefully people can respect the honesty." His book was about "the issues that have made headlines for the right and wrong reasons," he said.
"I've been very open and honest about the whole thing. I knew from the start that it would get a lot of criticism, so be it. I've enjoyed the experience."
At least one senior player "had voiced his huge disappointment about the book," Gibbs said, and had told the author he would support any possible disciplinary action by national federation Cricket South Africa against him. Gibbs is still under contract to CSA until April, 2011.
After 90 Tests and 248 ODIs, Gibbs also conceded his international career was probably over and he would likely not make a fourth World Cup - but not because of the book. Rather, he said, because of the promising performances of some of the team's younger players against Pakistan in the series in the United Arab Emirates.
"Book or no book, the squad has gelled so nicely over the last couple of months, and the youngsters that have come in have all performed ... I can't see the squad changing at all before the announcement for the World Cup," he said.
Gibbs added his "biggest desire" was to win a World Cup, he picked England to win the Ashes, 2-1 over Australia, and said he was "sad" that match-fixing allegations had re-emerged in international cricket.
"I'm sure the ICC will try and make some kind of example, if proven guilty," he said of the case involving suspended Pakistan trio Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif, "and it'll prevent it ever coming out again."