Cricket West Indies (CWI) has appointed Andre Coley as the interim coach of the West Indies men’s team for the tours of Zimbabwe and South Africa.
He replaces on an interim basis Phil Simmons of Trinidad and Tobago, who announced that he would step down as coach after the West Indies Test series in Australia.
CWI also confirmed that Simmons’ assistant coaches Roddy Estwick and Monty Desai are now out of contract.
West Indies will play two Tests in Zimbabwe from January 28 to February 16, before traveling to South Africa to play two Tests, three ODIs and three T20Is.
Coley, a former Jamaica wicketkeeper batsman, is the current coach of the CWI Academy.
He was Simmons’ assistant coach when West Indies won the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2016 and held the same post with 2022 CPL champions Jamaica Tallawahs.
“We welcome Andrei back into the West Indies dressing room and with his wealth of knowledge of the game, player management skills, dedication and hard work and attention to detail, we know he is equipped good,” said the director of CWI. of Cricket, Jimmy Adams.
“He is a highly experienced coach who has operated at every level within the CWI High Performance Pathway. This has prepared him for the job at hand and we expect him to again approach this new role with the same energy and drive that have characterized him.time in the CWI coaching system and has earned the respect of the players and everyone he interacted with,” added the former West Indies batsman.
Adams was grateful for the work of Estwick and Desai.
“I would like to thank Roddy and Monty for their hard work and dedication in supporting the team over the last few years and wish them the best in the future,” said Adams.
Coley said it was a “special honour” to lead the West Indies on the tour of South Africa.
“West Indies cricket holds a special place in my heart. The upcoming task will be challenging as we face two teams in their home conditions. We will have to ensure that our planning and preparation is adequate and to show consistency in the execution of these plans, to give ourselves the best chance of achieving positive results,” he said.
“The players, I’m sure, are enthusiastic about the opportunities that both series have to offer and are eager to contribute to the success of our team. I look forward to the upcoming tournaments and the opportunity to make a tangible and meaningful contribution to the growth of West Indies cricket,” added the former West Indies U18 coach.
CWI high performance manager Graeme West will oversee the West Indies Academy program in Coley’s absence, with Adams assisting.
TOUR SCHEDULES
West Indies to Zimbabwe
January 28 to 31: four-day warm-up at Bulawayo Athletic Sports Club
4 to 8 February: 1st Test at Queens Sports Club
February 12 to 16: 2nd Test at Queens Sports Club
West Indies to South Africa
February 21 to 24: vs South Africa Invitational XI at Willowmoore Park, Benoni
February 28 to March 4: First Test at SuperSport Park, Centurion
8-12 March: 2nd Test at Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
March 16: 1st ODI at Buffalo Park, East London (day/night)
March 18: 2nd ODI at Buffalo Park, East London (day/night)
March 21: 3rd ODI at JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom
March 25: 1st T20 is at SuperSport Park, Centurion
March 26: 2nd T20I at SuperSport Park, Centurion
March 28: 3rd T20I at Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg (night)
