“I am excited at the opportunity to contribute to what I think is an interesting time for West Indies”

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Former Australia batsman Stuart Law has been named as the West Indies’ head coach for the next two years.

The West Indies have been searching for a permanent head coach ever since they sacked Phil Simmons in September last year.

Law, whose tenure will begin on February 15, comes into the job having held brief coaching stints with Sri Lanka in 2011 and Bangladesh in 2011-2012. He also played one Test match and 54 ODIs for Australia.

“I am excited at the opportunity to contribute to what I think is an interesting time for West Indies,” the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) release quoted him as saying.

Most recently, Law served as the head coach of Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) franchise, the Khulna Titans. During that time, it is believed that WICB president Dave Cameron approached him about succeeding Simmons.

“His core functions will include improved team results while providing leadership to players and team management,” the WICB release said.

One of Law’s biggest challenges will be to ensure the West Indies qualify for the 2019 World Cup as only the top eight ODI sides will be assured of automatic qualification.

The West Indies, who already missed out on qualifying for the Champions Trophy this year, currently languish in ninth place on the ODI rankings, but are just three points away from catching up to Pakistan, who are in eighth place.

However, the West Indies will only have until September 30, 2017 to try and leapfrog Pakistan as that is the cut-off date for qualifying for the World Cup.

If the West Indies fail to automatically qualify, they will have to take part in a qualification tournament, which is set to be held in Bangladesh.