Walsh named WI women's coach

FORMER West Indies captain and fast bowling great Courtney Walsh has been appointed coach of the WI women's team, effective October 1, 2020, according to a media release from Cricket West Indies (CWI).

The 57-year-old Jamaican "will lead the preparation and development of the women's team at least up until the end of 2022, including competing in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Women's Cricket World Cup (50 overs) and ICC Women's T20 World Cup".

Walsh, in the media release, said, "This is indeed an honour to be named as the new 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. 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."

Walsh will take over from fellow Jamaican Andre Coley, who was the interim coach during the team's 5-0 T20 series whitewash away to England.

He is the leading WI wicket-taker in Tests with 519 scalps in 132 Tests, as well as 227 victims in One-Day Internationals, from 1984-2001.

Walsh served as a WI selector from 2013-2016 before taking the role as bowling coach of Bangladesh from 2016-2019. Walsh will be familiar with a few of the WI women's players, having worked as an assistant coach to his ex-WI teammate Gus Logie for the 2020 ICC Cricket World Cup in Australia.

Recently, he was the bowling coach for the St Kitts/Nevis Patriots at the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).