Ottis Gibson, new Proteas hope
Cricket South Africa are convinced they've found a winner with new Proteas coach Ottis Gibson
NEWS of his appointment had some cricket fans scratching their heads in confusion. When Cricket South Africa (CSA) started looking for a new coach to replace Russell Domingo, whose contract recently ended, many pundits were expecting that it would be a local who’d be picked to take over the reins. But cricket bosses had a surprise up their sleeves.
With a disappointing overseas tour fresh on their mind – the Proteas notched up series losses against England in all three formats of the game – CSA decided a shake-up was needed. And who better to get them back up to speed than the guy who helped mastermind the South African team’s trifecta of defeats: Ottis Gibson (48), a former West Indies paceman who's spent the past few years serving as England’s bowling coach?
In order to lure him over to our shores CSA had to make the veteran cricketer an offer he couldn’t refuse – rumour has it they agreed to double his current salary to seal the deal. But from the sounds of things they’re convinced it will prove to be money well spent.
“We’re delighted to welcome Ottis Gibson as the new head coach for the Proteas,” CSA chief executive Haroon Lorgat says. “His playing and coaching credentials are impressive, and that will place the Proteas in good hands as we move towards a big home summer, with both India and Australia visiting us.”
WHO IS OTTIS GIBSON?
The former fast bowler represented the West Indies in two Tests and 15 ODIs. But he played in more than 400 matches for regional sides in all three formats of the game – from his home team Barbados to English county teams and Border, Gauteng and Griqualand West. In his twenties he took 13 wickets for Border in a four-day match against Natal.
Frustrated by injuries, he later turned to coaching, becoming qualified in this capacity via the English cricket board. He later resumed his playing career, achieving milestones with both ball and bat in English county cricket. After becoming the Professional Cricketer’s Association’s player of the year in 2007 he was appointed England’s bowling coach.
From 2010 to 2014 he was head coach of the Windies, whom he shepherded to becoming T20 world champions in 2012.
In 2015 he was reappointed England’s bowling coach.
He’s South Africa’s first foreign coach since the late Bob Woolmer of England
‘Get the best possible candidate for the job’ – DR ALI BACHER
(see box above).
WHY A FOREIGNER?
Despite our recent losses to England we’re still second in the world rankings in Test cricket, and first in ODI cricket. It’s because of this that Gibson’s appointment raised eyebrows.
Do we really need a foreign coach? Why not a South African?
“In 2017 I don’t have a problem with getting a non-South African to coach our national team. You ought to get the best possible candidate for the job,” stresses cricket legend Dr Ali Bacher.
“I do feel CSA would be smart if it identified a South African as future coach, someone like [Lions coach] Geoff Toyana, and see that he’s appointed assistant coach to give him that experience in the international field.”
Former fast bowler Fanie de Villiers says Gibson was an inspired choice and predicts the foreigner will breathe new life into our game.
“We badly need Ottis’ expertise in South Africa,” he says. “The knowledge he gained coaching fast bowlers such as Stuart Broad and the swing bowling of James Anderson. His involvement with batsmen too, all the experience of years spent with England and the Windies.’’
As a player Gibson made an impression with his bowling in SA provincial teams, but also as a batsman under pressure. Plus he has some insight into South Africa’s unique challenges.
“It’s nice to have a true professional coming to coach in SA,” De Villiers adds. The Proteas need a different approach that will challenge players, believes Kepler Wessels, former SA captain and cricket commentator. Their lack of success in ICC tournaments such as the Champions Trophy and the World Cup, as well as the decline in their level of play recently made it clear that a change was needed, Wessels says.
“Gibson was by far the most suitable candidate for the job. He’ll need to bring South Africa through this transition period.’’ He has to find the fine balance between giving players free rein and stamping his authority on the team early on, Wessels says.
“Look, [Russell Domingo] did a reasonable job. I’m sure he’s proud,” Bacher says. “But after a few years as cricket coach you’ve imparted everything you know about the game. When after five years you’ve exhausted your [capacity] for new ideas it’s time to move on.”
As coach of SA’s A-team Domingo will stay involved with developing depth in SA’s national cricket.
COACHING RECORD
Gibson’s track record as coach of the Windies in terms of Tests and ODIs wasn’t much to write home about.
“But if he wasn’t very successful there, I wouldn’t hold it against him,” Bacher says. “At the time West Indies cricket had already been a time bomb for quite a while. They had years and years of infighting, which would’ve made it very difficult for any coach. It was a minefield .”
De Villiers agrees: “You wouldn’t appoint a coach just based on success with his own country, but for overall international experience gained in all facets of cricket.’’ Trevor Bayliss, England’s head coach, is sorry to see him go. “Ottis has played a vital role in our progress over the past few years,” he said. “His knowledge of the international game and the way he’s supported all our bowlers in their development has been immeasurable.”
THE CHALLENGES THAT AWAIT HIM
Firstly he should win the respect and support of the players, Bacher says. “And it’s not only a question of his knowledge of the game, but also his skills as communicator and people manager.”
If a player is going through a bad patch and feeling down, a good coach is able to lift their mood, motivate them and get them on course again, Bacher adds.
Challenges facing the new coach include “taking a look at the whole SA cricket set-up, because his strength will come largely from support at provincial level – and there are major shortcomings there”, De Villiers says.
“Secondly he’ll need the goodwill of the senior players to strategically manage the team well.”
As the captain and senior players are critical in decision-making on the field, it’s good news that both skipper Faf du Plessis and AB de Villiers have indicated they look forward to working with Gibson.
But De Villiers cautions that Bangladesh, who’ll be on tour in SA at the end of September, shouldn’t be underestimated. And then it’s on to a tough summer, with India and Australia touring South Africa. “But Ottis is arriving just in time to also be well-prepared for those later important tours.’’
‘We badly need Ottis’ expertise in South Africa’ – FANIE DE VILLIERS
‘Ottis has played a vital role in [England's] progress’ – TREVOR BAYLISS