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Walsh named Windies Women head coach

Published:Friday | October 2, 2020 | 12:13 AM
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Stafanie Taylor (left) of the West Indies plays a shot while England wicketkeeper Amy Jones looks on during the first Vitality Twenty20 International match at the Incora County Ground in Derby, England, on September 21.
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Stafanie Taylor (left) of the West Indies plays a shot while England wicketkeeper Amy Jones looks on during the first Vitality Twenty20 International match at the Incora County Ground in Derby, England, on September 21.
WALSH
WALSH
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ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC):

Legendary fast bowler Courtney Walsh has been appointed head coach of West Indies Women, just 24 hours after they suffered a chastening 5-0 whitewash at the hands of England.

The 57-year-old, a former Bangladesh bowling coach, served as assistant coach for West Indies Women during their Twenty20 (T20) World Cup campaign in Australia earlier this year but did not feature as part of the management staff on the recent England tour.

Walsh said he expected a smooth transition, especially since he had worked with the Caribbean side in the recent past.

“This is, indeed, an honour to be named as the new head coach. It’s an exciting challenge, and I’ve always wanted to give back in any way I can and help with the development of the game in the West Indies,” Walsh said yesterday.

“The experience I have, my knowledge of the game, and my overall organisational skills will be key aspects as we try to develop a winning team culture.

“The ability and the talent are there. We have some fantastic players in the West Indies, and it will be my duty and focus to help the women to develop their talents and achieve the goals we are going to be setting together.”

Walsh replaces Jamaican Andre Coley, who presided over the recent five-match Twenty20 International series against England.

Former West Indies batsman and men’s head coach Gus Logie was appointed interim head coach last October and led the Stafanie Taylor-captained unit to the T20 World Cup.

Cricket West Indies’ director of cricket, Jimmy Adams, a former Jamaica and West Indies teammate, backed Walsh to add value to the women’s programme.

“I am delighted to have Courtney leading our international women’s programme, having successfully come through CWI’s recruitment process,” Adams said.

“He will be overseeing the programme initially until the end of the next two ICC Women’s World Cups in 2022, and he will be pivotal in working with CWI’s High Performance Team to move our whole women’s programme forward as part of our wider strategic plan, which has women’s cricket as a key priority.”