West Indies cricket chiefs insisted they were standing by the decision to name Richard Pybus as their new head coach despite a storm of criticism which greeted the Englishman’s appointment.
Pybus will coach the team for the forthcoming series against England, the World Cup and the visit of India in July and August.
“Following a meeting of the board of directors, the organisation affirmed that the appointment of Pybus was made with the support of more than two-thirds of its board to ensure the team had strong leadership ahead of the busy cricket season this year,” said a Cricket West Indies (CWI) statement.
Pybus, who has had brief spells as coach of Pakistan and Bangladesh, was blamed by former captain Darren Sammy for causing the West Indies squad to strike on the 2016 India tour.
“Moses led God’s children out of Egypt and a 40-day journey took them 40 years because of stubbornness. The 2019 World Cup will be 40 years since WI won,” tweeted Sammy.