Gibbs hopeful of home fightback

South Africa batsman Herschelle Gibbs believes his team are in a potentially strong position despite their modest 257-8 on day one of the second Test.

Gibbs hit 63 to help the hosts recover from 28-3, sharing 94 with Ashwell Prince, who made an unbeaten 98.

"There was lateral movement and we played and missed a lot," said Gibbs, who bagged a pair in the first Test.

"The wicket will quicken up. If we can squeeze another 40 runs their batsmen will have their work cut out."

Following his double failure in Johannesburg Gibbs was moved down to the key number four position, partly to cover for the injured Jaques Kallis and provide some experience in the middle order.

"I've been up and down the order for the past year-and-a-half, because I'm probably the second most senior batsman in the top six," said the 32-year-old, playing his 81st Test.
"I've got to bat wherever they want me to bat, I'm just happy to be playing.

"I was disappointed I didn't push on to at least a hundred, but I guess some runs is better than no runs, and it was good to spend some time in the middle again."

Gibbs was full of admiration for gritty left-hander Prince, who will need only two more runs on Wednesday to complete his fifth Test century.

"He's been very sound, very tight, and that's probably how you play Test cricket.

"He hasn't flirted with his form - when the ball's been there to hit, he's hit it. He's also defended positively."

India skipper Rahul Dravid was also pleased with his side's position after South Africa were able to choose to bat in Durban.

"To lose the toss and end up the way we did was a great effort by all the boys," said Dravid, who confirmed that star batsman Sachin Tendulkar was "fine" after bruising his thumb.

"We worked really hard, even in the afternoon session when we only got one wicket. We stuck to the task and played good cricket."

"It was a tough grind out there, and we showed a lot of character as a team."