CHANDIGARH, India, CMC – Ottis Gibson has debunked comments from International Cricket Council Chief Executive Officer Haroon Lorgat that seemed to downplay last Friday’s stoning of the West Indies team bus, following their World Cup match against Bangladesh in Dhaka.
On Saturday, Lorgat described the stoning of the bus by angry Bangladesh fans as “a minor incident” not worthy of serious sanctions, but the West Indies coach disagrees with his assessment of the situation.
“I just want to make it clear first of all and remind Haroon Lorgat of his responsibility,” said Gibson.
“He can’t sit in a hotel room in Chennai, and say they were pebbles. What we heard hitting the bus and smashing glass didn’t seem to us to be pebbles.
He added: “So it is not fair to make a statement like this. We as management of West Indies team here believe that was a ridiculous statement to make.”
Police have arrested three-dozen people since the incident, and said it was a case of mistaken identity, with fans thinking it was the home team’s vehicle.
“We saw a hell [of a] lot of people,” said Gibson. “Suddenly stones were thrown at our bus, and a couple of windows smashed.
“The glass broke, but it did not shatter and no rock came inside. . .Most of us ducked down on the floor of the bus.”
He said: “We don’t want to make a big thing out of it, but at the same time, to us, it wasn’t a minor incident like Mr. Lorgat was trying to say.
“He has the responsibility to be careful what he says in this situation.”
At the same time, Gibson refused to jump over the moon, following two emphatic victories for West Indies in the competition.
The West Indies coach was impressed with the way his side demolished the Netherlands by 215 runs, and co-hosts Bangladesh by nine wickets, but he conceded it was still early days yet in the tournament.
“It is how we won the two matches, which is most pleasing for me,” said Gibson yesterday.
“We made 300 against Holland and then rolled them over. Then to go to Bangladesh and bowl them out for 58, and beat them in their own backyard was an outstanding performance by everyone in the team.”
Gibson added: “We beat two teams – Holland and Bangladesh – and these were two teams most people would have expected us to beat. Let’s not go starting any parties as yet.
“We still have a long way to go in this World Cup and we are confident of doing well. The players have been preparing well and they have earned their success.”
Gibson was very impressed however, with the way fast bowler Kemar Roach has been bowling, and his ability to lead the team’s bowling attack.
“He has been excellent,” said Gibson. “He has been World-class.
“Everyone in the Caribbean knew from when he was very young that he has the ability to be World-class, and here he’s proving it with every performance.
“He’s showing it on the biggest stage – the World Cup.”
The 22-year-old Roach has taken 10 wickets – the second highest in the tournament so far – and had a career-best six wickets for 27 runs, including a hat-trick – the first by a West Indian in the World Cup – against Netherlands.
“He has taken on the challenge very well,” said Gibson. “We pray he stays healthy, and continues to deliver for us.
“He is leading our attack and has done a really great job for the team and for the people of the West Indies.”
Gibson said: “The way he came back [for a second spell] against the Netherlands, and beat batsmen for pace, the way he attacked the stumps, and got the ball to reverse swing, was great to watch.
“He’s very skilful and is bowling very well for us at the moment, and I want him to continue what he’s doing.”
Gibson also hailed team captain Darren Sammy and the other members of the team for their victory over Bangladesh in particular.
“The team is well led by Darren Sammy, and he made some very good decisions on that day, which led to us taking the advantage from the start and maintaining it throughout the match,” he said.
West Indies, who are now third in Group-B standings, face Ireland this coming Friday (Thursday 12 midnight) at the PCA Stadium.
The top four sides in each of the two first-round groups advance to the knockout quarterfinals.