Pybus named interim WI head coach as busy year looms

ST JOHN’S (Antigua) English-born Richard Pybus has been appointed interim head coach of West Indies cricket and will guide the team in a busy 2019 that includes the World Cup and a home series against England.

Cricket West Indies (CWI) announced the news on Friday, less than two weeks before England arrive for a winter series in the Caribbean.

Pybus, 54, will hold the head coach role until September, when a replacement will take over, CWI said.

The head coach job became vacant when Australian Stuart Law resigned in September to take over at English county side Middlesex.

“Richard comes into the role with previous international experience having worked with both Pakistan and Bangladesh,” said CWI director of cricket Jimmy Adams. “Due to his current and previous involvement in CWI, he possesses a good working knowledge of both players and coaches.

“We’ve got a great home series against England coming up. England are a high-quality side who will be an excellent Test of the team in our home conditions.”

Pybus was West Indies director of cricket from 2013 to 2016 and returned as high performance director from last February.

England will play three Tests, five One-day Intern­ationals and one Twenty20 International against West Indies starting with the first Test in Barbados from Jan 23.

A triangular series in Ireland also involving Bangladesh will follow ahead of the World Cup from late May to mid-July.

India will tour the Caribbean in July and August, shortly after the 50-over World Cup in England and Wales.