Ottis Gibson’s contract states that he has to win the 2019 World Cup, says CSA CEO Thabang Moroe.
Gibson has had a successful tenure thus far as a Proteas coach, particularly in the Test arena. The Proteas have lost only one series out of five since Gibson took over, when they lost to Sri Lanka away in 2018. Gibson’s series triumphs include India, Australia, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
In the ODI format, the coach’s return has also been good. Despite losing 5-1 to India at home, the Proteas recorded series victories against Bangladesh (home), Sri Lanka (away) and Australia (away).
According to TimesLive, Gibson’s contract states that his key deliverable is to win the World Cup.
‘When the board hired Ottis‚ it was purely to win the World Cup. As it stands, his contracts states he has to win the World Cup‚’ said Moroe.
‘I’ve been happy with what he has done with the Proteas. With him being a bowler‚ and a strong bowling coach‚ the work that he has done with our bowling unit has shown.
‘We have won most‚ if not all our matches, because of a strong bowling unit. I have had a few phone calls encouraging me to speak to the board to see if they haven’t changed their mind.
‘I will do as asked and see what the board has to say. As things stand, we haven’t sat as the board and I haven’t spoken to anybody. I can’t force a decision down Ottis’s throat or the board’s throat.’
Moroe touched lightly on whether CSA would offer Gibson an extension, despite the results at the World Cup.
‘I run the operations of Cricket South Africa‚’ he said. ‘If I give my opinion I’m pushing the board into a corner‚ or I would push Ottis into a certain corner.
‘I would rather like to sit with Ottis first to see whether he is interested in continuing to ply his trade in South Africa, and how he sees the cricketing future of South Africa.
‘I can then take those views with me when I see the board. Before I give my opinion I would first like to sit with Ottis and then the board.
‘You probably know how I feel, given what I’ve said about the gentleman‚’ concluded Moroe.
