Ottis Gibson aims number one spot with South Africa

The newly appointed Head Coach of South Africa, Ottis Gibson, targets the number one ranking with the current South African team in Tests. The issue at hand for the West Indian is the non-availability of their premier fast bowlers due to injuries prior to the start of the Bangladesh series.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) generated interest in the services of Gibson post 3-1 thrashing in England. Gibson was previously the fast bowling coach of England before being appointed to the top position the Protean Team. Former Head Coach Russell Domingo was demoted to handle the South Africa ‘A’ team.

Dale Steyn still remains unfit to play international cricket whereas strike bowlers Vernon Philander and Chris Morris also miss out of the upcoming series due to back injuries. Even promising youngster Lungi Nguidi also misses out due to a stress fracture in the back.

Winning 2019 WC also in Gibson’s priority list

“We have four quality fast bowlers injured. That’s a problem straight away. You can’t really develop a team with that type of injury list. We have to take 20 wickets consistently to win Tests. We need a group of fast bowlers ready to perform,” commented Ottis Gibson according to TOI.

“My philosophy over the next two years is taking the Proteas back to the top of the (Test) pile first of all, then hopefully winning the (2019) World Cup,I’m lucky in a sense, the Proteas have been to number one in the world on a few occasions and not very long ago they were number one in the world,” added the West Indian.

On South African reservation policies in team selection

“That process has been happening before I got here. As far as team selection is concerned we will continue on the path that we are on at the moment. The chairman of selectors and the captain have got a handle on that,” concluded the 48-year old.