Ottis Gibson and his hele assistant coaches have been axed by Cricket South Africa on Sunday.
Announcing some radical changes to their coaching structure, which will see a team manager taking charge of the Proteas, CSA also said Gibson and his assistant coaches Malibongwe Maketa, Dale Benkenstein, Claude Henderson and Justin Ontong will not travel with the team when they leave for their tour of India next month.
A statement released by CSA reads: “Members of team management including the various assistant cricket coaches will not be retained as part of the forthcoming plan.
“In relation to the imminent tour of India the chief executive and the acting director of cricket will appoint an interim management team selection panel and captain for this assignment.
SACKED: Dale Benkenstein better known as Benkie will not travel with the Proteas on their tour of India. Photo: Supplied.
“In the meantime CSA will advertise the positions of director of cricket team manager and convenor of selectors.”
CSA CEO Thabang Moroe adds: “I would like to thank Ottis Gibson other members of the team’s current senior management and our long-serving team manager Dr. [Mohammed] Moosajee for their national service.
“This change will herald an exciting new era for the SA cricket and will bring us into line with best practice in professional sport.
“I must stress that the new structure was not a rash decision. It was taken after much deliberation by the board taking all the factors into consideration about the current state of our cricket and also the plan that we need to get to within the timelines we have set.”