Gibson takes county plaudit
Ottis Gibson took 80 County Championship wickets for Durham this season
Tuesday, 25, Sep 2007 06:20
Durham paceman Ottis Gibson's 80 first division County Championship wickets this season won him the player of the year award at last night's Professional Cricket Association awards.
The West Indian bowler, who has twice represented his country at Test level, took his 80 scalps for an average of under 21 runs each.
The highlight of his season was a 10-47 haul against Hampshire, the first time all ten wickets in an innings had been taken by one player in 13 years, and Gibson says he has enjoyed every minute of his successful year.
"Sometimes you may search a lifetime for what you might consider is perfection. If I look back, this year has certainly been that way. It has probably been a perfect season for me," the BBC quoted him as saying.
Gibson has a level four coaching certificate and has been advising England on their bowling in their recent Twenty20 campaign.
"Certainly for me, the last couple of years spent coaching has made a difference to my approach to the way I play now," he added.
The 38-year-old took 34 wickets at an average of 18.26 from his 15 one-day internationals but took just three wickets in his two Tests for West Indies.