Gary Kirsten revealed on Thursday that he had to give century-making teammate Herschelle Gibbs a dressing down as their second wicket partnership of 227 piled on the agony for England on the first day of the fifth and final Test at The Oval.
Gibbs, who was eventually dismissed for 183, hit three successive boundaries at one stage as the tourists went looking for a 3-1 series victory.
But veteran Kirsten, who made 90, warned the opener not to throw away all the good work.
”Herschelle hit three in a row and I had a go at him because he was getting loose and I thought he was able to get 200,” said Kirsten after South Africa had finished the day on 362-4.
”I told him to wait for the right ball to hit and take it easy. It’s a great batting wicket. There’s not much sideways movement for the bowlers.”
Gibbs admitted that the conditions were just too good to resist.
”I got to 100 and I just wanted to unleash and play the way I want to play. It is such a good wicket that you can latch on to the short stuff,” said the opener.
”If it’s there to be hit, it has got to go.”
Kirsten, who has gone back on his original plans to retire, said that despite the loss of Neil McKenzie off the last ball of the day, South Africa were still confident of wrapping up victory.
”We are still in a good position. The boys are very motivated.” – Sapa-AFP