The moment news of Ottis Gibson’s potential departure as England fast-bowling coach came to light, the rumour mill began to churn with the names of those who might be his possible replacements.
Now the vacancy is official with Gibson now appointed the West Indies head coach, it’s Allan Donald, the former South Africa quick who played 72 Tests and took 330 wickets, who is generating the most headlines as a possible replacement in the role.
Donald yesterday told Sky Sports News he’d be "silly not to consider the position" of fast-bowling coach, but added "I've not had any official contact with the ECB".
Back in 2007, health worries with Donald’s son prevented him from taking up the role of bowling coach for England on a permanent basis although he did briefly hold the position, but now the 43-year-old says “he is absolutely fine, everything's fine and I'm ready to get back into it full time."
If England are looking to increase the intimidation factor of their bowling attack – pacemen and spinners alike – they’d have trouble finding a more qualified candidate than Donald, who was one of the most fearsome sights a batsman could have seen steaming towards him back in the 1990s and first couple of years of the new millennium.
Donald, though, is not the only name that has been thrown into the ring by media pundits. Kevin Shine was one of the names mentioned earlier in the piece. He’s also held the role before and remains associated with the ECB at a development level, which might count in his favour.
The possibility that one of a couple of Australians could side with the enemy ahead of the 2010-11 Ashes series has also been bandied around in the press. Jason Gillespie is one who has been mentioned in connection with the role, though whether his recent comments to Fox Sports that he has “absolutely no doubt Australia will win the Ashes, I think this side is very good” will count for or against him in the selection process remains to be seen.
If the Ashes victory in Australia is England’s main priority in the next 12 months, and all indications are that this is the case, then the inside knowledge that could be gleaned from the likes of Gillespie, or Michael Kasprowicz – another who has been linked with the role – could prove a valuable asset.
On the local front, former England seamer Darren Gough is one who has been mentioned as a possible contender for the role of fast bowling coach, as have Phil DeFreitas and Steve Watkin.
Former South Africa captain Shaun Pollock, who has been working with IPL team the Mumbai Indians as bowling coach in recent times, has also been mentioned in connection with the position, but with vacancies among the Proteas coaching ranks Pollock might find himself pulled in the direction of his country.
Amid all this conjecture, the ECB is not giving anything away about who they want to appoint as Gibson’s successor.
Managing director of England Cricket, Hugh Morris, said on Tuesday when announcing Gibson’s resignation as England’s fast bowling coach said, “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.”
And while the speculation continues to swirl, there has been no further official statement on the topic from the ranks of the ECB since.
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