Lions coach gives Gibson thumbs up

is to produce players for the national team.”

Gibson’s first week as Proteas coach has seen him move between SuperSport Park and the Wanderers where the Highveld Lions‚ Warriors‚ Titans and Dolphins have been in action.

The Proteas contingent at the Titans‚ with the exception of Morne Morkel‚ eased themselves back into four-day action with youngster Aiden Markram making the biggest impression with his first day 117 against the Dolphins.

The Dolphins were 232/6 in response to the Titans’ 451/7 declared.

Knights top-order batsman Theunis de Bruyn probably made the most steps towards cementing a place in the Test squad for the Bangladesh series with his 195 against the Cape Cobras in Bloemfontein as the defending champions went to bed on 551/4 on day two in response to the Cobras 158 all out.

Lions opener Stephen Cook wilted in the heat of Sisanda Magala’s ferociously fast bowling‚ making 20 as the Lions responded to the Warriors’ 503/9 declared with 91/2.

Toyana understands the mandate and pressure Gibson will be under to deliver for the national team‚ especially after taking a highly fractured but talented West Indies to the 2012 ICC T20 World Cup title.

Toyana said Gibson’s history with the West Indies and the difficult politics that comes with coaching the West Indies makes him the perfect candidate to deal with the special set of politics that comes with South African cricket.

“Gibson has massive experience and he played here in the late 1990’s so I know he understands what’s happening with South African cricket.” — DDC