The head coach of West Indies cricket team, Ottis Gibson has been sacked on the verge of their series against visiting Bangladesh.
He is likely to be replaced by former South Africa and Australia coach Mickey Arthur, Trinidad Express reports.
WICB Cricket operations director Richard Pybus met with Gibson after a string of poor performances from the regional side. The two did not see eye to eye on many matters and in the end the WICB directors were made aware of the feelings of both Pybus and Gibson.
The directors held a teleconference over the weekend and a decision was made to terminate the services of Gibson and the hunt was then on for a new coach. With the West Indies due to play Bangladesh from tomorrow in Grenada in a three-match, two-Test and lone T20 series, a coach was needed immediately and Pybus met with Arthur at the Hyatt Regency in St Kitts.
It is understood that although all terms have not been worked out, Arthur will take charge for the Bangladesh series. Gibson’s contract was not up for renewal, since he renewed his contract last year. It was for a period of three years and due to end in February 2016.
At the time of renewing the contract, WICB chief executive officer Michael Muirhead said: “Ottis has added significant value to the development of the West Indies team during his tenure and we are delighted to have secured his services for another three years.”
“Most notably is that he led the implementation of a system of professionalism within the team unit and curbed the negative results, which we were experiencing with some frequency. There have also been clear successes under his stewardship from 2010 to date. These include, most notably, having coached the team to the World Twenty20 title, the team showing consistent improvements in the other formats, the reintegration of players into the team unit and the achievement of the set goals as outlined in the WICB Strategic Plan 2011-2016,” Muirhead said.
West Indies will commence their mission of three one day, two test and a solitary t-20 match series against visiting Bangladesh on Wednesday with the opening One day match. The match will start at 7:30 Bangladesh Standard Time.
