Sir Richie opens to coaching regional squad

St John’s, Antigua — Manager of the West Indies Cricket Team, Sir Richie Richardson, said if he is offered the top coaching position, he would accept the job.

The former captain, who debunked reports that he has been acting in the position since the departure of former coach Ottis Gibson, said his manager’s contract ends in 2016, but he is always willing to work in other roles.

“I’ve always said I would never say no when I am asked to do a job for West Indies cricket. I love West Indies cricket that much, so whatever I am asked to do I will say yes. It’s very difficult to say ‘no I am not going to do it’ so if the board approaches me and ask me to coach the team; obviously, I’d seriously think about it …,” he said.

Sir Richie, who is also a level three (England & Wales Cricket Board) ECB coach, said former player Stuart Williams has been occupying the top coaching spot since the WICB and Gibson parted ways in August.

The former batsman said he was also asked to “take control” of the team, but not coach.

The coaching team, he said, has coped well since Gibson’s departure.

“We all know exactly what we have to do and everything just continued to run smoothly. The only difference is that it’s a bit more work for myself and also for the coaches because we are one personnel short, but we rallied and we’ve always been a very good team. We’ve always worked well together and we continued in that vein,” Sir Richie said.

Several new reports have named Sir Richie as interim coach of the regional team for the just ended home series against Bangladesh.

West Indies will tour India from October 3-30.