Ottis Gibson to make England return at winter fast-bowling camp

Ottis Gibson will make his return to international cricket, and to the England coaching set-up, with the fast-bowling performance camp in South Africa this winter, his first involvement with the game since his departure as head coach of West Indies in August.

England have stressed that Gibson’s appointment is only on a short-term basis, to work alongside the lead fast-bowling coach, Kevin Shine, while the senior team’s bowling coach, David Saker, takes a break before a relentless 2015. Nevertheless it represents quite a coup, given the reputation earned by the 45-year-old Barbadian in taking West Indies to the World Twenty20 title in 2012 and before that in four years working with Peter Moores and Andy Flower in the England set-up.

Jimmy Anderson has credited Gibson with a major part in the transformation of his international career, largely through a back-to-basics approach. He could not resist the lure of the West Indies job in 2010, when his England role was taken by Saker, but left amid some acrimony two months ago, officially by mutual consent although Gibson continues to insist that he was sacked by the West Indies Cricket Board – who have since descended into crisis after the termination of their team’s tour to India.