Gibson to step down as Yorkshire head coach

Yorkshire first-team head coach Ottis Gibson is to leave the club at the end of the season.

The former West Indies fast bowler and England bowling coach joined Yorkshire in 2021, a year after the club was accused of institutional racism by Azeem Rafiq.

Yorkshire were relegated to the County Championship Division Two in 2022 and deducted 48 points by the England and Wales Cricket Board the following season over their handling of the Rafiq case.

“Despite the issues we have faced off the field, that inevitably spilt on to the playing side, I am pleased with the state of the squad, the development of our younger players and to be in contention to challenge for promotion,” said Gibson.

“I’d like to thank all of my staff, players and the supporters that have been behind us in my time here and I wish Yorkshire all the very best going forward.”

Gibson, 55, has helped revive the team’s Championship fortunes and the White Rose sit just four points outside the promotion spots with five games of the season left.

Yorkshire have begun the search for a successor.

“It’s been an absolute pleasure to work with Ottis,” said Colin Graves, who was reinstated as club chairman this season.

“The work that Ottis has done in really difficult circumstances has been impressive, and he’ll leave with his head held high, having helped build some solid foundations, which we are seeing with performances this season.”