Law ends stint prematurely, Pothas takes over
ST JOHN’S. Antigua, CMC – Australian Stuart Law has apparently ended his stint with West Indies ahead of the Bangladesh series which bowls off later this week.
The 50-year-old Law has not travelled with the Caribbean side for the tour comprising two Tests, three One-Day Internationals and three Twenty20 Internationals, and Cricket West Indies announced on Monday it had appointed fielding coach Nic Pothas as the interim head coach.
In announcing Law’s resignation last September, CWI said: “Law will continue in his role for the upcoming away series against India and Bangladesh and will leave to join Middlesex CCC in the New Year.”
In Monday’s statement, no mention was made of Law and his absence from the Bangladesh tour, only that South Africa’s Pothas would lead the technical team.
“Having Nic lead the team at this juncture is important for continuity and we look forward to strong and positive performances from the squad under his leadership,” said CWI director of cricket, Jimmy Adams.
Law, who is set to join English county Middlesex on a four-year deal, oversaw the illfated recent tour of India where West Indies won just one match. They were hammered in both Tests inside three days, went down 3-1 in the five-match ODI series before being swept 3-0 in the T20 Internationals.
Law’s departure marks the end of a near two-year stint marked mainly by a string of disappointing results.
He won six of his 17 Tests in charge with series wins coming only against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh in seven tours. In 31 ODIs across nine bilateral series, Law oversaw five wins and 21 defeats, and was without a single series success.
In T20s, he managed a mere eight wins in 22 matches, while losing 13.
West Indies face Bangladesh in the opening Test in Chittagong starting tomorrow.
“Having Nic lead the team at this juncture is important for continuity and we look forward to strong and positive performances from the squad under his leadership,” West Indies’ director of Cricket Jimmy Adams said in a statement.
Last April Pothas stepped down as the fielding consultant of Sri Lanka after briefly coaching them until the appointment of head coach Chandika Hathurusingha. The South African then took the role with the Caribbean side.
“It is an honour to be asked to be the head coach of the West Indies cricket team for the immediate future,” Pothas said. “The Bangladesh series will be a tough challenge which we look forward to embracing.”