Jacques Kallis gives Ottis Gibson the thumbs-up

Cricket legend Jacques Kallis says if an economic powerhouse like England saw fit to employ Ottis Gibson as an assistant coach twice then the new Proteas head coach must be a good acquisition for South African cricket.

Gibson arrives early next week ahead of his first assignment in charge of the Proteas, the two-Test series against Bangladesh starting on September 28, having enjoyed two stints as England bowling coach, between 2007 and 2010 and then again from 2015 to this week.

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He was also the head coach of the West Indies between 2010 and 2014, winning the ICC World T20 in that time.

“I’ve never worked under Ottis, but I’ve heard many good things and if England were willing to employ him then he must have something special. A new start for the Proteas, hitting the refresh button, can be a great thing for them. He’ll obviously bring his own ideas and way of doing things,” Kallis said.

The record-breaking all-rounder said it was fortunate South Africa would start the Gibson era against Bangladesh, following their disastrous time in England, because they would be able to play with some freedom at home.

“It’s a youngish Proteas side and touring England is never easy, they’re a very good side, especially at home. So the Proteas would have learnt a lot and hopefully they can put those lessons into effect against Bangladesh, who, without being disrespectful because they’ve improved a lot, are a good side to settle in against,” Kallis said.

“It’s a big season for the Proteas, but I’m excited because the talent is there and there’s no reason they can’t achieve the goals they have set for themselves. They just have to find a way of combining their good sessions with the bat with those with the ball, somehow make sure their bad days are not very bad. They just need to level out their performance a bit,” South Africa’s leading Test run-scorer said.