LONDON, England, CMC – England’s Barbadian bowling coach Ottis Gibson has praised his rookie seamers, following their impressive showing against West Indies in the recent Test series.
Graham Onions shone in his debut Test at Lord’s with a five-wicket haul while Tim Bresnan bowled well in the second innings of the second Test at Chester-le-Street to help push the Windies to an innings and 83-run defeat.
“Part of my job was to allow them to settle into their environment. For any new guys making a debut it’s a little nerve-wracking,” said Gibson who was appointed to the post in October 2007.
“I made my debut at Lord’s and it’s a special thing. For Onions to go on and get five wickets on debut at Lord’s was great.”
He continued: “The environment at the moment is a very supportive one. It’s easy for me. I played with and against Graham, so I know how he operates.
“I know a little about how Tim likes to operate. I like to be in the nets talking about stuff and helping them develop.”
With talismanic fast bowling all-rounder Freddie Flintoff injured and Ryan Sidebottom and Steve Harmison out of favour with selectors, Onions and Bresnan were given a run in the two-Test series.
Onions grabbed match figures of seven for 102 in the opening Test and returned with three for 98 in the second match.
Bresnan bowled just seven overs in the Lord’s Test but was given a longer run in seamer friendly conditions at the Riverside Ground, claiming three for 45 in the second innings as the West Indies were dismissed cheaply for 176.
Gibson, who played two Tests and 15 One-Day Internationals for West Indies, said he was also pleased with the development of experienced pacer James Anderson who finished the series with 11 wickets.
“He always knew how to bowl swing, I just tried to put some structure to his practice,” said Gibson who at one time was in the race to fill the vacant West Indies coaching spot.
“I reckon in those conditions with the swinging ball, there’s nobody better.”
