John Dyson, formerly of Sri Lanka and Australia, is heading for the Caribbean © Cricinfo Ltd

John Dyson, the former Australian batsman and coach of Sri Lanka, has been put in charge of West Indies and will succeed his countryman David Moore. Moore had assisted the head coach Bennett King, who departed after the World Cup, and was in charge on a temporary basis.

The West Indies Cricket Board did not reveal when Dyson would start the role but the West Indies are due to begin a tour of South Africa in December. A board spokesman said "the rest of the team management would be identified and appointed subsequently".

Dyson, who was also interested in the India and Bangladesh vacancies, edged out another Australian, Dav Whatmore, for the post and faces a tough task to make West Indies an international force. Dyson took over from Whatmore as Sri Lanka's coach in 2003 and remained in the role for two years. An opening batsman, he played 30 Tests in the late 1970s and early 80s, scoring two centuries and averaging 26.64.