Kowlessar blasts Gibson appointment

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – A top Trinidad & Tobago Cricket Board official has blasted the appointment of Ottis Gibson as West Indies coach and says David Williams has gotten a raw deal.

Lalman Kowlessar, an executive member of the TTCB, said he did not view Gibson’s hiring as a positive move for West Indies cricket.

“He cannot bring anything to the table for West Indies cricket. He was England’s bowling coach and that country is still in the doldrums of cricket,” Kowlessar contended.

“I don’t think he has what it takes to get the regional side back to the top of world cricket.”

The 40-year-old Gibson was named in the position on Monday, filling the post left vacant by the axing of Australian John Dyson last August.

Since then, Trinidadian Williams has served as the temporary coach, leading the side to the Champions Trophy in South Africa and the recent three-Test our of Australia.

Kowlessar, a veteran administrator, believes Williams should have been given the job by the West Indies Cricket Board based on his performance in the role so far.

“It is really unfair to David. He has been doing a good job and with limited resources. He has done enough to prove to the WICB that he could do the job,” Kowlessar argued.

Williams, a former West Indies wicketkeeper, has been retained as Gibson’s assistant.

Gibson quit his post as England’s bowling coach last week to take up his new post and will officially begin his stint at month end.