Cobras take a Bodi blow

Having said some nice things about Charl Langeveldt yesterday, it is only fair (I'm that kind of bloke!) to admit he got a doing today from the mercurial Gulam Bodi.

Born in India, Bodi emigrated to South Africa as a teenager and has been seen as a player of talent, sometimes brilliance, for some time. Today was one of those days for the left hander as he smashed an unbeaten 88 from just 44 balls as the Titans hit 136-1 in 12 overs in a lightning-shortened 20 over thrash that left the Cobras chasing 140 under Duckworth-Lewis.

In the course of his knock he hammered Langeveldt, who ended with figures of 3-0-45-0. Robin Peterson bowled two overs and took the only wicket for 26, but such a score was a tall order for the Cobras, who fell eighteen runs short on 122-6. It was a good effort, but ultimately in vain.

Ironically, Langeveldt's hammering took place on a day when he was recalled to the national squad for the forthcoming one day series in India for his experience. Mind you, I can't think of a bowler who hasn't had the odd bad day and there are a lot of average batsmen in cricket who have had occasional good ones.

Of course, one problem for John Morris now is going to be finding someone who can fill the new seats at the County Ground given the limited number of players available. Langeveldt is a very fine bowler, but I'm not sure that we would sell 2,000 extra tickets if he was in the side. Mind you, he might help us win a game or two, which would help!

The same goes, to some extent, for fine players like Alviro Petersen and Loots Bosman. Both are batsmen of some ability and are good fielders. Bosman in particular is a very free scoring player who hits the ball hard, high and often. Of the three he would perhaps be the biggest draw, especially after his brilliant 94 (with NINE sixes) against England earlier this winter. A batting average of 35 in twenty over cricket is impressive, while he also averages 52 in international fixtures in that format. He's not played in England though, so would be to some extent a gamble, not being especially well known.

Like all players of his kind, on his day supporters of his teams will laud him, on others they will moan about careless shots... you can't have it both ways. Bosman plays a little like Chris Gayle and when he comes off it is spectacular. It won't happen every time though, as most of us know all too well.

Petersen and Bosman are also in the South African one day squad in India, suggesting that they are players of high quality in a country that has more than most.

Another player in that squad who MIGHT come under the microscope led the Cobras reply today with 48 from 28 balls, including five sixes.

Herschelle Gibbs.

At 35 his very best days are perhaps behind him, but his talent seems still to flourish. He is perhaps the most brilliant of a nation of great fielders in recent years (apart from a World Cup semi final I could mention and a dropped catch) and has averaged over 70 in one day matches for the Cobras this winter. With 21 one day international centuries and 27 more in first class one day cricket he has been there and printed, as well as bought the T shirt.

His career has had its controversial moments and he has perhaps, at times, not done himself any favours. Yet Gibbs is a player who could come under consideration in the coming months as Derbyshire and other counties search for a star in a limited market. With 93 centuries in all cricket he has little to prove and with an average of one fifty in every five twenty over knocks he has a more than impressive record. In 2008 he averaged over 50 for Glamorgan in a short stay, with one memorable knock of 98 taking just 45 balls.

I don't think Gibbs is a full season overseas player to rank with, for example, Chris Rogers. I wouldn't expect him to score heavily in County Championship cricket these days and he hasn't featured in the longer game for the Cape Cobras this winter.

But the bottom line is, would he put bums on seats as a T20 player?

Yeah, I think he would. And if we can't get Albie Morkel, I'd be happy with Gibbs at 3 in the T20

See you soon.