PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Interim West Indies coach David Williams says he is naturally interested in filling the full time post made vacant by the axing of Australian John Dyson.
Williams, the former West Indies wicketkeeper/batsman, served as Dyson’s assistant up to the end of the recent Bangladesh series.
After Dyson’s surprise dumping, the West Indies Cricket Board appointed Williams to oversee next month’s Champions Trophy in South Africa but he said he was keen on taking up the top role permanently.
“Of course I am interested. I am the assistant coach and it is only natural I would want to one day become the head coach of the team,” said Williams.
“I set certain standards for myself as far as my coaching goes and would like to end up as head coach.”
The 45-year-old was appointed assistant coach in September 2007 when the West Indies travelled to South Africa for the Twenty20 World Championship.
At the time, he served as deputy to Australian David Moore, the interim head coach before Dyson took over later that year.
Williams avoided the issue of Dyson’s shock departure and said he was now focused on leading West Indies to the Champions Trophy, which runs from September 22 to October 5.
“I am not aware of the situation concerning the removal of John as coach and I am staying far away from that,” said Williams, who played 11 Tests and 36 ODIs between 1992 and 1998.
“I have been given a job to do with this team and I am going to do my best. At the end of the day, one has his reputation at stake and every time I go out there, I try to give my best.
“As a coach you need a good run and I am hoping that the West Indies Cricket Board follows protocol and offer me the top job once it is available.”
Williams will be in charge of a new-look West Indies side after top players, including Chris Gayle, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shiv Chanderpaul, were overlooked for the Champions Trophy.
It follows the controversial Bangladesh series when all of the marquee West Indies players made themselves unavailable for the tour because of a contracts dispute with the WICB.
