The England and Wales Cricket Board yesterday received the resignation of Ottis Gibson as England fast bowling coach.

The ECB had received a request, which they agreed to, from the West Indies Cricket Board to approach Gibson in regard to their vacant head coach role.

Yesterday Gibson told the ECB that he wished to be released from his contract so that he could take over as West Indies coach at the earliest opportunity. Hugh Morris, Managing Director England Cricket, and Andy Flower, England Team Director, agreed to Gibson’s request.

Hugh Morris said: ‘We are extremely grateful to Ottis for his hard work as England fast bowling coach. Since becoming the full time England fast bowling coach in 2007 he has contributed so much to the success of the team and was an integral part of the Ashes-winning backroom staff last summer.

‘Ottis is a product of the ECB’s coach development programme and worked as a national coach in delivering Level 1, 2 and 3 programmes before qualifying as a Level 4 coach. He is another great ambassador for this outstanding scheme.’

Andy Flower added: ‘Ottis has been a valuable member of my management team and we will all be sorry to see him leave. However we recognise that being offered the chance to be head coach of your country was an offer that would be hard for Ottis to resist. We wish him well in the future.’

Ottis Gibson said:’ I will always be grateful  to the ECB for the opportunities they gave me as a bowling coach and in particular to Peter Moores for offering the role as England fast bowling coach. I would like to thank Andy Flower as well for all the advice, encouragement and support he has given me in the last year. It was a privilege to be a part of such an outstanding and successful team.’

England will now consider their options for the forthcoming tour of the United Arab Emirates and Bangladesh.
 
Hugh Morris added: ‘There has been much speculation in the last few days about the role of fast bowling coach but now Ottis has confirmed his departure, Andy Flower and I will begin the process of identifying the right individual who can join the England set up and build on the foundation laid by Ottis.’