West Indies eye Woolmer as coach

The West Indies have turned to former South African coach Bob Woolmer as a possible replacement for Roger Harper.

Harper had been reasonably successful in arresting a woeful decline in the West Indies' results but was denied the chance to take his team into the Super Six stage of the World Cup by the rained-off match against Bangladesh. However, the defeat of South Africa in the opening match in the tournament and a general upturn in results in Test and one-day cricket has confirmed that the West Indies have become competitive once again in world cricket.

Despite this, Harper decided against re-applying for his own job when such a move became necessary according to West Indies Cricket Board policy.

Attention has now focused on Woolmer who has already met the chief executive, Wes Hall and Sir Viv Richards who heads the selection panel. Other candidates have been interviewed, but the suggestion is that Woolmer is the preferred choice if contracts and terms can be agreed.

Woolmer has an outstanding track record as coach to both South Africa and Warwickshire. He has also been working with the ICC as high performance director helping to prepare Canada, Kenya, Namibia and the Netherlands for the World Cup. There was every chance that he would continue in that role but might now be tempted to add his experience to the West Indian revival.