'Working with South Africa's fantastic players is a great opportunity'
Friday 8 September 2017 20:57, UK
Outgoing England bowling coach Ottis Gibson told Sky Sports the side's pace stocks are in a "great position" as he prepares to take over as head coach at South Africa.
James Anderson has become the first Englishman to 500 Test scalps, while Stuart Broad is second on England's all-time Test wicket-takers list after eclipsing Sir Ian Botham's tally of 383 last month.
Ben Stokes also showed his abilities by bagging career-best figures of 6-22 against Windies at Lord's on day one of the series-deciding third Test.
And Gibson believes England's seam back-up is strong, insisting Mark Wood, regularly afflicted by injury since debuting in 2015, remains an "x-factor" bowler.
"I think [England's bowling] is in a great position," Gibson, who will take up his post with South Africa following the final Test with Windies, told Ian Ward.
"Last year, for example, [Chris Woakes] had an outstanding summer but he has been injured most of the year so Toby [Roland-Jones] has come in and given a really good account of himself.
"I also still believe Wood is going to be x-factor for England. I saw him on a Lions tour in South Africa at his best - pain free and bowling with control - so he still has a lot to offer.
"I was also very impressed with Warwickshire's Olly Stone in the T20 Blast, while Surrey's Stuart Meaker has been in the system for a long time and not really had the opportunity yet.
"There are a lot more fast bowlers coming up behind - the Overton twins, Craig and Jamie, at Somerset, for example."
Discussing what he will miss within the England set-up, Gibson added: "Days like the one Stokes had at Lord's, the great skill of Anderson and the intensity of Broad.
"I have known Broady since he was 19 years old and to see his progression as an international cricketer has been excellent.
"We have also won some good stuff along the way, so it's been a great journey and there have been some great friendships - especially on the golf course!
"We see a very grumpy Jimmy when things aren't going his way on there!"
Former Windies head coach Gibson has signed a deal with South Africa until the end of the 2019 World Cup in England and is optimistic the Proteas are set for a successful period.
"Once you strip away the challenges and focus on the cricket, you see that they have some fantastic cricketers," said the Barbadian.
"Working with them - AB de Villiers has just announced to the world that he is making himself available for all forms, Dale Steyn, I hear, is nearing full fitness - is a great opportunity.
"If we can get all the players focussed on winning, I believe we have a fantastic opportunity to do something special."
