Johannesburg: Former South African cricketer Herschelle Gibbs found himself under unexpected spotlight during the trial of Paralympic star Oscar Pistorius for the alleged murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

The trial is being broadcast live on television and radio, generating unprecedented public interest. Gibbs started receiving messages from fans and friends after close-ups on television repeatedly showed the bat with which Pistorius broke down the bathroom door behind which Steenkamp was hit by bullets, which Pistorius said were meant for what he believed was a burglar.