West Indies bowling coach Roddy Estwick has been sacked for the upcoming ICC World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe, March 4-25.
The 56-year-old, who joined the Caribbean side’s coaching staff 20 months ago, will be replaced by a coach from outside the region.
CWI president Dave Cameron confirmed the move but declined to name Estwick’s replacement, citing “protocol”.
“We are bringing in a different bowling coach and we will also solidify the batting,” Cameron told TVJ Sports here, while hinting at other changes in the management set-up.
“I’m not sure I’m at liberty to disclose the name of the coach . . . but he’s not from the region. Again, we want to bolster our bowling. I believe that if we have good bowlers, then whatever we get to make our batting will take care of that.”
Estwick joined the Windies management in May, 2016, replacing the legendary former Windies fast bowler, Sir Curtly Ambrose, ahead of the Tri-Nations Series in the Caribbean involving Australia and South Africa.
Througout his tenure, the Barbadian has earned praise from players, with seamers like Shannon Gabriel and Kemar Roach crediting him with their recent development.
Gabriel snatched 44 wickets in Tests in a 15-month period ending last December, while Roach, who returned to international cricket last August following a 19-month break, picked up 25 wickets in seven Tests.
However, West Indies endured a wretched run in New Zealand last December, failing to win a single game as they suffered 3-0 whitewashes in the Test and one-day series, and a 2-0 defeat in the three-match Twenty20 series.
The Caribbean bowlers struggled, dismissing the Black Caps just once in the two Tests. (CMC)
