Highly-talented Andrew Puttick joins South African squad as cover for Gibbs

[Xaxerian]

Andrew Puttick joins South African squad
Wisden Cricinfo staff
July 25, 2004

Andrew Puttick, a left-handed opening batsman from Western Province, has been named as cover for Herschelle Gibbs for the two-Test series in Sri Lanka. Gibbs sprained his ankle during a training session last Thursday and is a doubt for the series.

Puttick, 23, has an impressive first-class record. He made his debut in the 2000-01 season, and has notched up 2062 runs in 28 games at 49, with a highest score of 250 not out. He was part of the A side that played against Sri Lanka A last season. What would also have counted in his favour is his experience of Sri Lankan conditions – he played the Under-19 World Cup there in 1999, and was among a squad which included Graeme Smith, the current captain, and Jacques Rudolph.

Commenting on his selection, Omar Henry, the convenor of selectors, said: "It is clear from Andrew's performances for his province and the South African A team that he is a player of skill and talent and he clearly has a good temperament. This will be a great opportunity for him to step up to the highest level."

Puttick himself expressed surprise over his inclusion. "I was driving to the mechanic to pay a bill for repairs to my car when I got a call from Eric [Eric Simons, the South African coach] who said that Herschelle was injured and that they wanted me to join the squad.It's something I have always dreamt about and its just fantastic to be part of the set up."

Puttick will be among the line-up that leaves for Sri Lanka on Monday, July 26. The South African board also revealed that Gibbs would travel with the squad and would undergo intensive treatment from Shane Jabaar, the physiotherapist. South Africa's tour begins with a three-day warm-up match on July 30, while the first Test starts on August 4, at Galle.


[http://usa.cricinfo.com/link_to_data...25JUL2004.html]

[Xaxerian]

Full Name: Andrew George Puttick
Born: 11 December 1980, Cape Town, Cape Province
Major Teams: Western Province.

Also Known As: Boom
Batting Style: Left Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Medium
First Class (2000/01 - 2003/04)
Matches: 28
Innings: 49
N/O: 7
Runs: 2062
Highest: 250*
Average: 49.09
100s: 5
50s: 8
Cat: 39
St: 1

List A Limited Overs (1999/2000 - 2003/04)
Matches : 36
Innings : 34
Not Out : 8
Runs : 751
Highest : 113*
Average : 28.88
100s : 1
50s : 3
Catches : 24
Stumpings : 3

[NZBeth]

This is news. I am disappointed for him. I know how hard he has been training for their upcoming season and it must be huge source of frustration for Herschelle to be brought down by injury so soon before the test. Having just returned from SA I was looking forward to seeing the boys in action. I do hope that he can overcome his injury so that he may be fit to play again. All the best of course to his replacement-someone I admittedly know little about but who seems very able to take on the responsibility of opening batsman. I must say I am surprised that Paul Adams is out of play this time. I didn't see that move coming at all.

[Xaxerian]

A matter of opinion. I'm sure Herchelle would have been delighted himself to witness new blood taking the reigns; South Africa, in this time and age, truly need such young starlets in their squad, in order for development and the World Cup 2007. When you look at players like Irfan Pathan, Yasir Hameed, Emraan Farhat, Michael Clarke, Shane Watson, Nathan Hauritz, and Michael Papps ... you really think the Proteas need some youngsters.

[NZBeth]

Playing cricket is Herschelle's passion, it is also his career. He lives, thinks and breathes cricket and though I'm sure the players enjoy taking time out to be at home and enjoy other dimensions of life, as a professional sportsman, your priority and focus is directed towards your performance. To be so close to playing only be taken out by injury must be hard to take expecially after being involved in a rigourous training schedule to meet fitness standards. He joins the team again today so it's not all in vain but although the SA side might be in need of fresh new talent, they sure rely on the wealth of experience that dominates their current side. What I was directing my concerns with is the frustration I know he must feel at being sidelined while your team is out against an opposition like Sri Lanka. Wanting to make a difference but being unable to. Anyway, it's good he has recovered and I hope he gives the Sri Lankans a wake up call upon his return to the crease.