A golf fanatic and red wine lover: Ottis Gibson. Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images.
It’s refreshing to see new Proteas cricket coach Ottis Gibson arrive for his latest job with a huge smile and brimming with confidence.
He’ll need to stay relaxed if he is to be successful in his new role. The SA cricket team is a complex one.
They have often reached the summit of both Test and one-day international world rankings, yet have battled to go all the way in big competitions despite boasting a squad overflowing with world-beaters.
Of late, they have been inconsistent and are far from a settled team.
On arrival this week, the former England bowling mentor and West Indies head coach declared: “I want to take the team to where they’ve never been before.”
He also set his sights on winning the World Cup in 2019 – something no South African team has managed to do. It’s not an easy task for Gibson and his players.
South Africa’s disastrous record at World Cups is well documented, while he starts his tenure against Bangladesh this month without several key bowlers.
Having represented Border, Griquas and Gauteng in his playing days, Gibson is no stranger to South African cricket.
He’ll need to call on all his experience if he is to take South Africa where they’ve never been before. Good luck, Ottis.
