Andre Coley appointed West Indies interim head coach for tours to Zimbabwe, South Africa

Cricket West Indies(CWI) has named Andre Coley as the interim coach of the senior men's team for the team's tours of Zimbabwe and South Africa early next year. Coley takes over from Phil Simmons, who announced his decision to step down after the Australia series post-West Indies' 'unfathomable' early exit at the T20 World Cup.

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Coley, 48, served as West Indies' assistant coach, incidentally under Simmons, when they won the T20 World Cup in 2016. More recently, he served as the head coach of the CWI Academy program and has had coaching stints with the Under-19 as well as the senior women's team.

This year, he was part of the Jamaica Tallawahs support staff that clinched the Caribbean Premier League Title.

"To be asked to oversee the West Indies team on the upcoming tours of Zimbabwe and South Africa is a special honor. West Indies cricket holds a special place in my heart. The upcoming assignment will be challenging as we will come up against two teams in their home conditions. We will need to ensure that our planning and preparation are appropriate, and demonstrate consistency in the execution of these plans, to give ourselves the best opportunity to achieve positive results."

Coley said to Cricbuzz in an interview

"The players, I'm sure, are enthusiastic about the opportunities that both series should offer and are eager to contribute to our team's success. I look forward to the tours ahead and the opportunity to make a tangible and meaningful contribution to the growth of West Indies cricket."

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West Indies are scheduled to play two Tests in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe starting February 4. They'll then travel to South Africa, a tour that'll include two Tests, three ODIs, and three T20Is.