Reifer named West Indies coach

Pybus’ contract ran beyond the WC in England and Wales, but new Cricket West Indies (CWI) president Ricky Skerritt said changes and a ‘calculated strategic move’ were necessary to reignite the passion for cricket in the region. Barbados-born Reifer played six Tests, eight One-Day Internationals and one Twenty20 for West Indies between 1997 and 2009 before moving into coaching.

“Up to the end of 2018, Reifer had been identified as an outstanding emerging local coach,” Skerritt told a news conference. “He displayed this by leading West Indies A successfully, including victories against the England Lions. He also ended the past year by coaching the senior men’s team to a T20 series win in Bangladesh.”

Among other changes, Skerritt overhauled the selection panel, with Robert Haynes replacing Courtney Browne as interim head of selectors. “We have found it necessary to immediately adjust our selection policy to become more open, inclusive, and player-centric,” he said. 

As part of the old selection policy, availability for domestic tournaments was a requirement to be picked for West Indies squads, but Skerritt said selectors would be allowed to pick all players who make themselves available. Twice winner West Indies opens its WC campaign against Pakistan in Nottingham on May 31.

Ahead of the much-awaited World Cup 2019 India squad announcement on April 15, one question that is common on everyone’s list is whether the selectors will go with Dinesh Karthik or Rishabh Pant as the second wicket-keeper batsman for the showpiece event.

Kolkata Knight Riders coach Jacques Kallis said that if he was the selector, he would pick Karthik. While many would think the former South Africa all-rounder would be biased about the KKR captain, Kallis explained his choice. “I would pick DK for his experience, in the WC you need experience. He knows how to play situations and he can control the middle-order and can bat at a good rate. Not too many dot balls and India would be silly if it doesn’t pick him.”