CSA introduces football-style team structure, parts ways with coach Gibson
Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Sunday announced it is set to part ways with head coach Ottis Gibson. The board has also come up with a revamped management structure for the team. Gibson will not be in charge of SA Cricket’s upcoming tour of India, a board release stated.
As per the structure, CSA will appoint a Team Manager to take overall charge of the team for effective cricket governance and greater accountability to South Africans. The manager will appoint and have the coaching, medical, administrative staff directly reporting to him. He will also be in charge of naming the Proteas captain.
Also read: “The toughest part of touring is probably playing in India”: Faf du Plessis
Welcome change for SA cricket
CSA’s Board of Directors approved this dynamic new setup in last week’s meeting that also includes the appointment of a Director of Cricket. CSA Manager: Cricket Pathways, Corrie van Zyl will be the Acting Director of Cricket till the position is permanently filled. In what looks like a football-style structure, the Team Manager will report to the Acting Director, who in turn will report to the Chief Executive.
“This change will herald an exciting new era for the SA cricket and will bring us into line with best practice in professional sport,” said CSA Chief Executive Thabang Moroe.
“I must stress that the new structure was not a rash decision. It was taken after much deliberation by the Board, taking all the factors into consideration about the current state of our cricket and also the plan that we need to get to within the timelines we have set.”
Gibson, former West Indies fast bowler, took over the coaching reigns in 2017 on a two-year contract. Under his stint, South Africa clinched home Test series wins against India, Australia and Pakistan. The Proteas also went on to win away ODI series in Sri Lanka and Australia. However, the team endured rough Test losses at home and away against the Lankans. The 2019 World Cup was one of their worst outings in history.
Complete overhaul
Dr. Mohammed Moosajee, the joint team manager and team doctor will also be ending his association with the Proteas. First appointed in 2008, Moosajee communicated his wish of not renewing his current contract that expires next month. CSA will also not retain other members of the team management, including assistant cricket coaches.
“I would like to thank Ottis Gibson, other members of the team’s current senior management, and our long-serving team manager, Dr. Moosajee, for their national service to South African cricket,” Moroe added.
Moroe and van Zyl will now appoint an interim team management, selection panel and South African captain for the India tour. Current captain Faf du Plessis is likely to continue at the helm until the new board is formed. Parallelly, CSA will advertise the positions of Director of Cricket, Team Manager and convenor of selectors.
