West Indies sacks coach Dyson

St John's:

Barely six weeks before the Champions Trophy, West Indies Cricket Board sacked coach John Dyson following the team's humiliating Test and ODI series defeat at home against Bangladesh.

"The services of John Dyson have been terminated with immediate effect. The Assistant Coach, David Williams will fill this position on a temporary basis for this tour," the WICB said in a statement after its Executive Committee meeting.

It was a strange decision by the board since Dyson did not have the frontline squad at his disposal against Bangladesh and had to field a second string side as the star players boycotted the series over a payment dispute.

WICB also named former spinner Lance Gibbs as the team manager for the ICC Champions Trophy schedule in South Africa in September-October.

Dyson took over the coaching reins in October 2007, succeeding fellow Australian Bennett King.

Under him, West Indies won their first Test outside the Caribbeans in seven years when they beat South Africa in Port Elizabeth and beat England 1-0 at home soil.

West Indies cricket soon plunged into crisis with the payment dispute becoming a bone of contention between the cricketers and the board.

West Indies is set to field another second-string in the Champions Trophy.