Batsman Herschelle Gibbs’s appeal hearing against a ban of two Test matches was tougher than expected, Proteas coach Mickey Arthur said on Wednesday.
The proceedings, which were conducted by teleconference, lasted about two hours. Arthur could not give details of what prevailed, but said Gibbs had found it tougher than he had expected.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) banned Gibbs on January 15 after he was overheard using abusive language on a stump microphone.
During a Test match in Centurion against Pakistan, he was heard calling Pakistan supporters ”a bunch of bloody animals”. He has since apologised.
The teleconference involved Gibbs, his lawyer, ICC match referee Chris Broad and a legal representative acting on his behalf.
ICC appeals commissioner Richie Benaud has the power to increase, decrease, amend or otherwise substitute his own decision from that made at the previous hearing, and his decision is final and binding.
Once Benaud has reached his decision he must provide it in writing to the ICC’s in-house lawyer, who will then forward it to Gibbs, Broad and ICC chief executive officer Malcolm Speed ahead of any public announcement.
The decision was expected on Thursday.
Arthur said South Africa’s plans for growing the Test team would be severely disrupted if the two-match ban for Gibbs was upheld.
”Herschelle is very much part of our plans, and he is beginning to find some good form again,” said Arthur.
The Proteas coach confirmed that Boeta Dippenaar had been called up to join the team for their last Test against Pakistan, starting at Newlands on Friday.
”Boeta will open with Graeme Smith,” said Arthur. ”If Herschelle is banned, AB [de Villiers] will bat at number six. If Herschelle is allowed to play, AB will sit this one out.” – Sapa