Ottis Gibson confirms all-South African coaching team
What’s the story?
South African head coach Ottis Gibson has finally appointed his new support staff ending weeks of speculation.
He has replaced all the members from Russell Domingo's tenure and has roped in fresh faces under him.
Warriors coach Malibongwe Maketa will be the assistant coach, former Proteas batsman Dale Benkenstein will be the new batting coach and former batsman Justin Ontong will take charge as the fielding coach.
Only Claude Henderson is the lone survivor from the Domingo era, as he has managed to retain his job as the spin consultant.
The details
Gibson had already made it public that he will also take over the role of bowling coach during the Bangladesh series from Charl Langeveldt.
Maketa comes into the scheme of things after a glittering career back in Warriors where he enjoyed the great trust of all players.
He has managed to build a side minus any stars to a formidable unit, a side which has made to several finals of many tournaments. He will join the national team after the end of Ram Slam on December 18.
In case you didn’t know…
Gibson replaced Russell Domingo after the England series as the head coach of South Africa. The start of his tenure has been very successful as his team blanked the touring Bangladesh across all the three formats.
What’s next?
South Africa's biggest Test under the watch of Ottis Gibson will be when the Indian team pays a visit to their shores at the beginning of next year for a full-fledged series which will comprise three Test, six ODIs and three T20Is.
Author’s take
These appointments are not something entirely out of the ordinary as any new coach generally likes to pick his own team of support staff to maintain better communication and cohesion along the way.
How the players react to these new faces will, in many ways, determine the success of the team in the future!