Cricket-Injured Gibbs doubtful for Windies clash

ST GEORGE'S, Grenada, Apr 9 (Reuters) South Africa may have to go into their World Cup Super Eights clash against West Indies on Tuesday without injured batsman Herschelle Gibbs.

Gibbs strained his left calf muscle while fielding in South Africa's 67-run defeat by Bangladesh on Saturday. He batted with a runner and top scored with an unbeaten 56.

Gibbs did not bat during a training session in St George's, Grenada, today and coach Mickey Arthur said South Africa would delay a decision on his involvement until the last minute.

''We're leaving it until later for Herschelle, he's probably no more than 50-50 at the moment,'' Arthur told a news conference.

''If the risk was on the positive side, if he had a 60-40 chance of playing, I'm sure we would look to give him a go.

''But he's got to get through 50 overs in the field and he's got to run between the wickets.

''At this stage it's looking like a fair risk to take but let's see what our physio can do with his magic hands this afternoon and we'll go from there.

''We've covered all options in terms of selection but we're going to give Herschelle the opportunity until right before the start of play to prove his fitness to us.'' If Gibbs is ruled out, Arthur said opener AB de Villiers would probably move down the order to number four.

Loots Bosman is expected to step in to the side as Gibbs's replacement.

The seven-week World Cup culminates with the final in Barbados on April 28.

Reuters DH VP0152