It seems that everything I write in this column is destined to be proved wrong. When Herschelle Gibbs was left out of the Proteas ODI squad to face England, I wrote a six paragraph eulogy on his career and bid him farewell. On Sunday, Mike Proctor and the rest of the selectors decided their patience for the bad boy of cricket had not been lost and Gibbs was recalled to the one day side.

This time it was lady luck herself that threw Gibbs a lifeline. The Proteas had a change of strategy ahead of the one day series: Jacques Kallis was set to partner Graeme Smith at the top of the order, with Hashim Amla as his back up. There was no place for Gibbs, even lower in the order, as Alviro Petersen had been selected to bat at number five. When Kallis was ruled out of the one day series with a fracture to one of his ribs, the strategy continued with Amla moving into the opening position.

It did, and admirably so. Amla performed with aplomb in the losing cause at Centurion. He was one of two South African batsman to score a half century and helped rescue the team from a total top order collapse after Smith and AB de Villiers both went cheaply. Although one innings alone cannot cement Amla?s spot, his performance would have gone a long way to securing his place in the team. If that?s the case and Smith?s spot is as solid as the build of the man himself, why has Gibbs been recalled?

The selectors showed interest in resurrecting Gibbs? career last week, when they picked him for the South African ?A? side to face England. His performance was an unremarkable 24 off 36 balls. The only plausible reason for his inclusion is that he is being used as cover, which leads one to think that the selectors are too scared of a line-up that doesn?t include tried and tested players? Or do they just feel sorry for Gibbs, and have an unending supply of graciousness towards him?

Time to move on

If the administrators are looking for a player to come in only as cover, perhaps they should look to blood someone new - Andrew Puttick, for instance. The Cobras batsman has had a few chances in the past, and not been entirely successful, but he?s had a run of good form recently. In four MTN40 games, he has scored 154 runs (nine less than Gibbs), including one century. He has a healthy average of 77.00 and he also scored 62 off 74 balls for South Africa A against England. If the selectors really are looking to build for 2011 (as they keep telling us) then why not try someone younger and different, who is potential candidate for the World Cup.

Then there?s Loots Bosman. Rumour has it that he is nursing a niggle, in which case this argument holds no water. If he is fit though, he deserves a chance. After good performances in the pro20s, Bosman may be ready to graduate to the next level. Why not give him a chance? Perhaps his maturity has extended to the 50-over game and if it hasn?t, then there isn?t that much difference between him and Gibbs anyway. Nonetheless, they?ve opted to stick with their old favourite and Gibbs will once again take his place in the South African side. All it will signify, for some of us, is that change is desperately needed.

And Langers?

Speaking of which, why is Charl Langeveldt still trundling along? Most pundits will say it is because he takes wickets up front, he?s useful at the death and he adds experience to a young bowling attack, but will be around come 2011? Probably not. I am in no way questioning Langeveldt?s abilities, but I am curious about the policies behind his selection.

If it?s a swing bowler we want, and one that will be around for some time, then Yusuf Abdullah must come into the frame. His performances in the IPL showed that he can bowl at the top level. For all those who say that he is only a 20-over cricketer, please note that he has been playing in the limited overs competition and the SuperSport Series for seasons.

If it?s experience that?s needed, then recalling Makhaya Ntini may be the ideal solution. Apart from his energy and enthusiasm, he will also be able to act as a mentor to Wayne Parnell, something that is much needed. A leading figure is starkly absent in the attack, and Langeveldt, for all his experience, just doesn?t have the same aura Ntini has.

Then, there?s the question of Steyn. There?s little doubting that he will be part of the set up for years to come, but he has looked out of sorts and wayward recently. When Morne Morkel went through a similar bad patch, there wasn?t much hesitation in sending him back to his franchise and telling him to work on his bowling, his accuracy and his confidence. Perhaps the same should be done with Steyn, and Morkel could make a comeback while that happens. The younger Morkel has been menacing in both SuperSport Series and MTN40 and his hard work should earn him a reward at some point.

But the South African bowlers shouldn?t despair too much. It doesn?t seem as though any team is having much luck in the bowling department. India and Sri Lanka are embroiled in a sub continental battle that has runs flow as freely as the Ganges. In the first test, 21 out of a possible 40 wickets were taken but not before seven centuries (including Mahela Jayawardene?s 275) were scored. It?s a batsman?s game after all. Let?s hope that gets proved wrong this week.