Gibbs yo-yos his way back

This is how most volatile relationships work: a series of mishaps results in one party deciding they've had enough and calling it quits. Then, after a few weeks and perhaps a few other partners, the banished one gets recalled, only for them make the same mistakes again. Those dalliances never seem to die, just like the relationship between Herschelle Gibbs and the South African cricket team.

The bad boy of the side has been relegated and recalled more often than Mike Tyson has been arrested. But just like the champion boxer, as much as he may yo-yo in and out of favour with the administrators and fans, and on occasion the law, Gibbs' aura doesn't seem to fade.

"We've always known what a quality player he is and we've never denied that. When he was dropped, it was never a case of him no longer being a quality player," said Craig Matthews, one of the South African selectors.

Matthews insists that Gibbs was recalled to "bring experience" to the side in the absence of Jacques Kallis, and not to replace Hashim Amla at the top of the order, or because the administrators panicked after the losing the second one-day international in the five-match series against England.

"We have incredibly good players in the middle order, but they are still all quite young. AB de Villiers is among the more experienced players and he hasn't even played 100 ODIs. JP Duminy and Alviro Petersen are the other two guys in there and between them, they've only played 60 ODIs," explained Matthews. Gibbs has played more than all three combined, with an impressive 245 games.

"We've identified the number five position as the key place in the middle order and we want the person who bats there to assume responsibility," said Matthews.

Does that mean that one of Duminy or Petersen will lose their place to make room for Gibbs, or is Gibbs just around so that if his experience is needed, it will be called upon?

"I can't say for 100% that he is in as cover only or if he will play," said Matthews. A source close to the team, though, confirmed that Gibbs will not feature in the starting XI for the third match in Cape Town.

Whether Gibbs is in as cover or not, one thing is certain: he is back in favour with the team management. "From a physical point of view, there are few people that look after their bodies as well as he does," said team manager Mohammed Moosajee. "He is very particular about his physique and his spends hours in the gym conditioning."

Moosajee also said that Gibbs had successfully overcome his problems with alcohol. "I'm not saying that he is not drinking at all, but he has the situation well under control and he doesn't binge anymore."

The new, improved Gibbs has become hungrier, Moosajee said. "He has spent a long time doing introspection and he is more motivated than he was before. Whether he can translate that into good performances remains to be seen."

Both Matthews and Moosajee also agreed that if Gibbs does succeed in cementing his spot in the batting line-up once again, he will be a serious contender for the 2011 World Cup squad. "As selectors, we have pushed the point that we are building for that World Cup and if you ask me, Gibbs will definitely be in the mix come that tournament," said Matthews.

"Look at Sanath Jayasuriya, he is still playing at 40," Moosajee said. "I don't see why Gibbs won't be around for that long as well. There's no doubt that he is talented. As long as he can keep his consistency up and his body in good shape, he will be around in 2011."

It seems most South Africans wouldn't be displeased with that. A local newspaper group conducted a survey asking if Gibbs' inclusion would make a difference to the side. Of the 592 people who voted, 63% said they believed he would.