CWI names team management Unit for tours of Zimbabwe and South Africa, former pacer Kenny Benjamin named bowling coach

The West Indies will be touring the African continent to play against Zimbabwe and South Africa in a bilateral series each in February and March. While their two Tests against Zimbabwe get underway on February 4, the Windies will then pay a visit to the ‘Rainbow Nation’ for a multi-format series comprising two Tests, three ODIs and as many T20Is between February and March.

Meanwhile, ahead of the Caribbean Test squad’s departure for Africa tours, Cricket West Indies (CWI) has officially confirmed the Team Management Unit who have been selected to support the interim coach Andre Coley for the next couple of months.

Former Windies pacer Kenny Benjamin has been roped in as the bowling coach, while Rayon Griffith is the assistant coach as a part of this unit. Notably, Griffith also serves as the head coach of the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

Other than these two, Denis Byam has been roped in as the Team Physio, while Rawl Lewis will be in charge as the Team Manager. Avenesh Seetaram (Analyst) and Dario Barthley (Media Officer) complete this new Team Management Unit.

West Indies hoping to prove a point on South African soil

After the Zimbabwe Test series that concludes on February 16, the West Indies will be landing in South Africa where they would be desperate to prove a point or two. The team failed to get past the group stages in the last year’s T20 World Cup, and also suffered a whitewash against Australia in the Test series down under a month later.

Nonetheless, the Test series does not hold much relevance for the Windies as they are virtually out of the WTC final contention race languishing at the sixth position in the nine-team table. South Africa on the other hand who are at the fourth position will be looking to find an outside chance of making the final cut by blanking the Caribbeans in both the games.

More importantly, the Proteas will also be looking to seal the three ODIs without conceding a game with some precious ICC Super League points at stake.

With their ODI series against South Africa forefeited, the South Africans cannot afford to slip in further in One Dayers, which could jeopardise their chances of participating 50-over World Cup that takes place in India later this year.

Here’s the West Indies Team Management Unit for upcoming Zimbabwe and South Africa tours

Andre Coley - Head Coach (Interim)

Rayon Griffith – Assistant Coach

Kenny Benjamin – Bowling Coach

Denis Byam – Physio

Rawl Lewis – Team Manager

Avenesh Seetaram - Analyst

Dario Barthley – Media Officer

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