Greg Chappell favourite to land West Indies coaching vacancy

Greg Chappell: favourite to replace Logie © Getty Images

Greg Chappell is being lined up to coach West Indies following the departure of Gus Logie on Monday. Chappell, who has been coaching director of South Australia for five years, is reported to have been interviewed in London during the Champions Trophy.

In yesterday's Trinidad & Tobago Express, Tony Cozier wrote that Chappell had been recommended by the playing committee to the West Indies board, and all that remained was for terms to be agreed.

"All I know is that they were going to discuss the matter at their board meeting on Friday and Saturday but I've heard nothing subsequent to that date," Chappell told Cozier. "I don't know whether to assume no news is good news or bad news."

Chappell would operate under the board's revised management structure, and so would have the casting vote on selection issues as well as the responsibility of choosing the final XI from the chosen squad.

Leonard Robertson, the board's communications officer, said he expected negotiations to be completed "sooner rather than later".

The board are known to be keen to avoid making any announcement until the deal is completed and, in doing so, avoid a repeat of the situation which led to Logie taking on the role almost by default. In April 2003 it was revealed that Bennett King was to be the new coach, but King had not agreed terms and withdrew from the shortlist, forcing the board to appoint Logie.

It is possible that King is still in the board's thoughts, but it will not make the same mistake again and refused to make any comment.