Yorkshire appoint Ottis Gibson as new head coach on three-year contract

Yorkshire have appointed Ottis Gibson as their new head coach on a three-year deal as the county begins rebuilding in the wake of the racism abuse scandal.

The 52-year-old, who has been head coach for the West Indies and South Africa as well as working as a bowling coach for England, is the latest new addition to a revamped backroom staff at Headingley.

Gibson will start work at the end of February, after his involvement with Pakistan Super League side the Multan Sultans comes to an end. Last month Yorkshire announced the departures of 16 members of staff, including the entire coaching team. That included the director of cricket, Martyn Moxon, and first-team coach Andrew Gale.

The county is trying to change its personnel and culture after the damaging allegations of racial harassment and bullying raised against the club by former player Azeem Rafiq, which led to the loss of sponsors and the right to stage international matches at Headingley.

Darren Gough has since been appointed as interim managing director of cricket, and Gibson will report in to him, the club said. Yorkshire plan to appoint two assistants shortly to work alongside Gibson.

Lord Kamlesh Patel, who was appointed club chair in November, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Ottis to the club. His playing and coaching credentials speak for themselves and he has had a distinguished career performing at the highest level.

“Ottis’s character and his commitment to buying into the process that we are going through at Yorkshire County Cricket Club shone through in our discussions. He is someone that I know will encourage dialogue and help foster a culture of inclusion at the club, as well as supporting and developing the world class talent we have here and pushing