Bennett King resigns as West Indies coach

Bennett King is reportedly stepping down from his post © AFP

Bennett King has resigned as West Indies coach after their failure to reach the World Cup semi-finals, according to the West Indies Cricket Board director Jackie Hendriks. The Jamaica Gleaner also reported Hendriks confirming Ian Bradshaw, the left-arm fast bowler, had followed Brian Lara into international retirement.

"The West Indies Cricket Board [WICB] has accepted with regret the resignation of coach, Bennett King," said a WICB statement. "Mr King, in his resignation, offered to remain in office until May 31 to facilitate the establishment of the regional cricket academy. Mr King was responsible for establishing and managing the Australian academy and developed the basic plan for a WICB academy structure.

"His presence during the month of May will provide us with an opportunity to better understand the challenges facing the board as it implements the new structure. Mr. King will not accompany the team on the England tour and the board will subsequently announce the management team, including the coach, for that tour."

King moved from the Australian Academy to West Indies in 2005 but has been unable to reverse the side's inconsistent form. "I have heard that he recommended his assistant David Moore to take the team to England," Hendriks told the paper. The tour is due to start next month.

King has continued the trend of coaches leaving after the World Cup. Greg Chappell, Duncan Fletcher and Dav Whatmore have resigned while John Buchanan will walk away when the tournament ends.

Bradshaw, 32, played only three matches during the World Cup and his last appearance was in the loss to South Africa on April 10. He appeared in five Tests and 62 ODIs, taking 78 wickets at 29.47.