"A special honour": Andre Coley takes on West Indies interim head coach role

Coley, the head coach of the CWI Academy, will make the step up on an interim basis to lead the squad in two Tests against Zimbabwe before a further two Tests, three T20Is and three ODIs follow against South Africa

West Indies have appointed Andre Coley as interim coach of the men's senior side for the upcoming tours of Zimbabwe and South Africa.

The Windies are on the hunt for a new full-time head coach, following the departure of Phil Simmons - who confirmed he would step down in the wake of his team's dismal performance in the T20 World Cup.

Coley, the head coach of the CWI Academy, will make the step up on an interim basis to lead the squad in two Tests against Zimbabwe before a further two Tests, three T20Is and three ODIs follow against the Proteas.

^{Phil Simmons stepped down as West Indies head coach following a miserable T20 World Cup performance [Getty Images]}

^{West Indies have tours to Zimbabwe and South Africa in the coming weeks [Getty Images]}

"To be asked to oversee the West Indies team on the upcoming tours of Zimbabwe and South Africa is a special honour," he said. "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.

"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.

WEST INDIES FIXTURES: ZIMBABWE & SOUTH AFRICA TOURS

February 4-8: 1st Test v Zimbabwe

February 12-16: 2nd Test v Zimbabwe

February 28-March 4: 1st Test v South Africa

March 8-12: 2nd Test v South Africa

March 16, 18, 21: 3 ODIs v South Africa

March 25, 26, 28: 3 T20Is v South Africa

"I look forward to the tours ahead and the opportunity to make a tangible and meaningful contribution to the growth of West Indies cricket."

Coley, 48, represented Jamaica during his playing career. He was assistant coach to the senior men's West Indies side which won the 2016 T20 World Cup, and has also taken charge of the islands' under-19 setup, as well as being involved in the Caribbean Premier League with Jamaica Tallawahs.

Meanwhile, Cricket West Indies have confirmed that assistant coaches Roddy Estwick and Monty Desai have left the group following the conclusion of their contracts.