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Australia v South Africa, 2nd Test, Melbourne, 3rd day

'Batting at No. 3 is quite nice' - Gibbs

Cricinfo staff

December 28, 2005

Herschelle Gibbs' 94 may have cemented his place at No. 3 © Getty Images

Herschelle Gibbs has been satisfied with his return to the South African top order and after a well-paced 94 may have found a permanent home. A long-term opener, Gibbs was shuffled down to No. 5 to accommodate the impressive AB de Villiers, but he was bounced up to first-drop instead of Boeta Dippenaar for the Australian tour.

"Batting at No. 3 is quite nice," he said. "I'm happy there, it's as close to opening as I'll probably get. With [today's innings] it was good that I got through the 20s and 30s, but it's a bit disappointing I didn't go on and get a big score. It was just nice to start and bat for that amount of time and play my natural game because I was a bit reticent in Perth. "

Gibbs collected 21 and 33 at the WACA and after resuming on 54 today he carefully plotted his way before being bowled by a jumping delivery from Andrew Symonds. He hit two boundaries off Glenn McGrath in the over before lunch but the most impressive of his 15 fours came after the break when he fought back against Brett Lee after being hit in the helmet. "I'm fine, there's not much between my ears," he said.

Unpredictable bounce from the fast bowlers made batting difficult and South Africa fell for 311 as both Lee and Symonds picked up three victims. "The wicket was a bit up and down and there are one or two areas causing concern," Gibbs said. "There was not much turn but it's a wicket you never feel in on."

Gibbs said the rough in Perth was worse than the breaking up areas of the MCG's drop-in pitch and he thought the Australian spinners would be disappointed with the amount it would turn. "The combination of defence and attack will be crucial in the second innings," he said. "Whatever total they set we will need to bat a day or a day and a half. The batting has let us done a little bit so we need some big partnerships."