'Fast bowling is about the donkey work sometimes'

25-Feb-2013

As England begin the third Test, their bowling coach, Ottis Gibson, discusses swing, Steve Harmison and the day that Malcolm Marshall taught him the value of hard graft, in a chat with the Independent's Brian Viner. Gibson also says that he would love to be head coach of West Indies, but he would be equally pleased to take charge of England.

Here's an excerpt from this free-wheeling conversation :

Gibson understands Sidebottom, a fellow late-bloomer. But then Sidebottom is an uncomplicated man. Not so Gibson's erstwhile Durham team-mate, the enigmatic Steve Harmison, still omitted from the squad but posting a timely reminder of his talent with a hat-trick against Sussex at the weekend. Gibson does not presume to comment on the selectors' decision, and indeed is relishing the chance to work with an attack unchanged in five Tests, but he feels he understands Harmison better than most, and is certain the 29-year-old can force his way back into the reckoning.

"I know from playing with Steve last year what a good bowler he is. There were days when he did world-class things, like when we were playing at Worcester one day. He was bowling to Phil Jaques, a serious player, and I was standing at mid-off. Before he ran in he told me what he was going to do with each ball, and he did it. Jaques was on 90-odd, and Harmy eventually bowled him leaving alone, round the wicket, a reverse swinging ball. The problem is getting him that relaxed, that comfortable with himself, in this [Test match] environment. I have spoken to him at length about it and I know he wants that too."

England

Jamie Alter is a senior sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo