After more than a decade away from the regional setup, Ottis Gibson says his return to West Indies cricket feels both rewarding and deeply personal.
The former West Indies head coach has officially re-entered the Caribbean fold as the team’s new fast-bowling consultant, bringing with him years of international experience and a renewed determination to strengthen one of the region’s traditional strengths, pace bowling.
For Gibson, however, the assignment is about more than strategy and technical guidance. It is also a return to familiar territory.
“Obviously, it’s great to be here, back sort of assisting West Indies cricket again,” Gibson said ahead of the upcoming Sri Lanka series.
Back where major success was achieved
Now 57, the Barbadian previously led the West Indies between 2010 and 2014, overseeing one of the team’s most celebrated modern achievements when they captured their first ICC T20 World Cup title.
Since leaving the role, Gibson has expanded his coaching résumé across the international game, working with Bangladesh national cricket team, England cricket team, and South Africa national cricket team in various coaching capacities.
His appointment as fast-bowling consultant was confirmed by Cricket West Indies on April 1, signaling another effort by the regional board to reinforce the team’s bowling resources ahead of a demanding international schedule.
Early conversations already making an impact
Since joining the camp in Antigua, Gibson has wasted little time reconnecting with players and assessing the current fast-bowling group.
He described his first sessions with the squad as productive and insightful, particularly the discussions with the bowlers about their personal goals and expectations ahead of the Sri Lanka series.
“This morning was interesting, meeting some of the guys, especially the bowlers, talking to the bowlers and trying to understand from them, especially leading up to the series, what it is that they want to get out of the series before it starts and things that they want to work on,” Gibson explained.
“So it was good interacting with them.”
Working alongside Rampaul to prepare attack
Gibson also revealed that he has already begun collaborating closely with former West Indies pacer Ravi Rampaul as the coaching staff fine-tunes preparations for the upcoming contests against Sri Lanka.
“Obviously, I’ve also been assisting coach Ravi Rampaul, trying to help them get ready for the series coming up, but I’m impressed with what I’ve seen already,” Gibson added.
The West Indies will enter the series with a pace attack expected to feature talents such as Jayden Seales, Alzarri Joseph, and Shamar Joseph, a group widely viewed as central to the team’s ambitions across all formats.
For Gibson, the assignment now represents an opportunity to help shape the next generation of Caribbean fast bowlers while reconnecting with the team he once guided to world glory.
