Colombo Kings head coach Herschelle Gibbs resigns; leaves for South Africa after mother tests COVID positive

Colombo Kings have played some exciting cricket in the ongoing inaugural edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL). The team ended the league stage at the top of the points table after winning six out of eight matches with 12 points their name. The Kings are set to play the first semi-final against the Galle Gladiators. However, they are dealt with a huge blow ahead of the crucial game as the head coach Herschelle Gibbs has resigned with immediate effect.

The Colombo Kings skipper Angelo Mathews confirmed on Saturday stating that the team owners informed the players about Gibbs’ decision. He also informed that Gibbs will leave for South Africa and must have reached home by now.

“The Team owners informed us that @hershybru had resigned as coach for personal reasons. he will leave to South Africa tonight,” Mathews said on Saturday. Meanwhile, on Sunday, Herschelle Gibbs himself revealed that he had to leave immediately for home after his mother tested positive for COVID-19. He also stated that his brother is also currently in hospital suffering from virus while his sister is recovering from the same.

“Mom in hospital covid reasons. Brother was also in hospital from covid and sister recovering from covid.. had to come back home,” Gibbs wrote in his tweet.

Mom in hospital covid reasons. Brother was also in hospital from covid and sister recovering from covid.. had to come back home🙏 https://t.co/BQboARZ492

— Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru) December 13, 2020

LPL set to end on December 16

The inaugural season of the LPL, meanwhile, is set to end on December 16. The two semi-finals will be played on December 13 and 14. 20 league matches among five teams witnessed some top quality cricket. Kandy Tuskers couldn’t win more than two matches in their 8 outings and eventually ended up at the last position in the table.

However, the other four teams, Colombo Kings, Dambulla Viiking, Jaffna Stallions and Galle Gladiators have managed to come up with good performances to make it to the top four. Irrespective of the positions in the points table, the teams will have to play good cricket in the knockouts and all four teams have equal chance of lifting the trophy on Wednesday.