ST JOHN’S, Antigua and Barbuda: The West Indies parted ways with coach Ottis Gibson yesterday, ahead of a home one-day series against Bangladesh.
The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) said the two sides “mutually agreed to terminate their association” with team manager Richie Richardson stepping in as interim coach.
No reason was given for the departure of Gibson, who had been in charge since 2010 and led the West Indies to the World Twenty20 title in 2012.
However, West Indies are currently eighth in the Test rankings, the lowest among the established nations, eighth in the one-day rankings and seventh in the Twenty20 rankings.
The Bangladesh series comes as the West Indies build up to the World Cup early next year. Ex-captain Clive Lloyd was named head of a selection panel.
“On behalf of the Board and West Indies cricket as a whole we express our gratitude to Ottis for his work,” WICB chief executive officer Michael Muirhead said in a statement.
The WICB thanked Gibson for his “unwavering committment and professionalism” in his role as head coach, a position he occupied for four years.
Confirmation that the former fast-medium bowler will not be involved in the series against Bangladesh came less than 12 hours before the opening one-day international of the three-match contest at the Queen’s Park Stadium in Grenada.
The teams will also play a lone T20 International followed by two Tests.
The highlight of Gibson’s time in charge was the team’s triumph at the World T20 in Sri Lanka in 2012.
Their defence of the title last March in Bangladesh ended in defeat to eventual champions Sri Lanka at the semi-final stage.
Team manager Richardson, the former West Indies captain will take over the coaching responsibilities for the Bangladesh series while a full-time replacement is confirmed.
AFP
