10:48am Wednesday 3rd February 2010
THE England and Wales Cricket Board have begun the search for a new fast bowling coach following the departure of Ottis Gibson.
Gibson yesterday left the role he has held since 2007 to take over as head coach of the West Indies.
The ECB issued a statement confirming Barbados-born Gibson had been released from his contract.
England head coach Andy Flower said: ‘‘Ottis has been a valuable member of my management team and we will all be sorry to see him leave.
‘‘However we recognise that being offered the chance to be head coach of your country was an offer that would be hard for Ottis to resist. We wish him well in the future.’’ Gibson, 40, played two Tests and 15 one-day internationals for the West Indies but it was his performances on the county circuit for Durham that brought him to England’s attention.
Managing director of England cricket Hugh Morris said: ‘‘We are extremely grateful to Ottis for his hard work as England fast bowling coach.
‘‘Since becoming the fulltime England fast bowling coach in 2007 he has contributed so much to the success of the team and was an integral part of the Asheswinning backroom staff last summer.
‘‘There has been much speculation in the last few days about the role of fast bowling coach but now Ottis has confirmed his departure, Andy Flower and I will begin the process of identifying the individual who can join the England set up and build on the foundation laid by Ottis.’’ Gibson follows the example of another former England fast bowling coach, Australian Troy Cooley, in returning to take up a position in his homeland.
Two of his predecessors in the role, Allan Donald and Kevin Shine, have been mentioned as possible successors.
Shine continues to work for the ECB at development level.
Gibson takes over as West Indies coach from the sacked John Dyson and will start with a Twenty20 international against Zimbabwe on February 28 followed by a series of five ODIs.
David Williams will remain in charge as interim coach for intervening matches against Australia.
Gibson said: ‘‘I will always be grateful to the ECB for the opportunities they gave me as a bowling coach and in particular to (former head coach) Peter Moores for offering the role as England fast bowling coach.
‘‘I would like to thank Andy Flower as well for all the advice, encouragement and support he has given me.”
ALLAN DONALD
THE South Africa legend has worked with the ECB before, as a part-time bowling consultant but he was unable to take up a more permanent position. Vastly experienced and well qualified he is likely
to be interested this time around. But there have been suggestions he is a demanding character and his bullish nature may not fit in with Andy Flower’s regime.
KEVIN SHINE
WELL thought of in his developmental role with the National Cricket Centre in Loughborough, but unlikely to be handed a second chance at the senior job. He underwhelmed when appointed as Troy
Cooley’s replacement in 2006 amid concerns that he failed to establish workable relationships with England’s leading pacemen.
DARREN GOUGH
THE effervescent Yorkshireman has previously expressed interest in working with England’s bowlers but his initial interest was not looked upon with great enthusiasm. He would perhaps be the best
option now though, having proved leadership qualities during his end-of-career stint as Yorkshire captain.
Flower may also be keen to involve a former England player in his backroom setup and is sure to have the respect of the current attack.
STEVE WATKIN
The Welshman had a modest international career, with three Test appearances and four ODIs to his name in the early 1990s. He has since stayed in the game as director of the Glamorgan and Wales
Cricket Academy and would surely be given the chance to state his case should he be interested. Low profile may count against him.
IAN PONT
Essex-born Pont, who had a brief foray into baseball following the end of his firstclass career, is not well known to the wider public but his experimental approach to the game could be an
interesting option. His backroom experience includes work with Essex, Northamptonshire and Holland and he authored The Fast Bowler’s Bible.
SHAUN POLLOCK
The former South Africa captain could be seen as a more cerebral alternative to former team-mate Donald, with an equally enviable international record. He has already taken a step into coaching
with Mumbai Indians, but he might fancy a role in the revamped Proteas set-up.
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