West Indies coach Richard Pybus focused on the future: I really don't want to unpack the past

Pybus's return to the Windies setup angered several prominent former internationals, including Desmond Haynes and Darren Sammy, the latter of whom railed against the decision on social media

Richard Pybus has brushed aside the criticism he has faced since his appointment as West Indies head coach, insisting that his full focus is on the opening Test against England.

Pybus's return to the Windies setup angered several prominent former internationals, including Desmond Haynes and Darren Sammy, the latter of whom railed against the decision on social media.

The political landscape of the game in the Caribbean has come under the microscope once again as a result, with the Cricket West Indies president Dave Cameron appearing to have overlooked a shortlist drawn up by director of cricket Jimmy Adams for the position and instead opting for Pybus.

Meanwhile, the off-pitch rows threaten to rumble on into the first Test, which is due to begin in Bridgetown on Wednesday.

Pybus, though, remains unperturbed. 

^{Richard Pybus with bowling coach Vasbert Drakes}

"Darren Sammy is entitled to his opinion. You’ll have to ask him about that. Criticism is part of the game, part of the tapestry and the drama around sport. We’ve just got to get on with the job really. I don’t really want to unpack the past," he said.

"The team are very focused, positive and motivated. You guys will write your stories, create a bit of an angle and drama, but from my side I’m not really worried about that. The guys are focused on the series coming up. There are no issues.

"I don’t want to sound too “zen”, but I’m really focused on the first day coming up and making sure we’re ready for it."

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Pybus's previous time at CWC included a spell as director of cricket during which relationships with senior players became strained. The governing body, however, pointed to a "trifecta" of world titles in 2016 - men's, women's and under 19 - as proof that his tenure was a success.

"I’ve done three years as director of cricket and what’s in the results bank is in the results bank. We put programmes in place," Pybus said.

"It’s fantastic to see some of these guys come through the programmes. It’s the coaches who work with them, the support staff around them, it’s the system which supports to ensure we deliver on-field excellence.

"It’s very much a work in progress. Nobody involved in cricket in the Caribbean can say we’re where we want to be; the region has been playing catch-up. But we’re starting to have the depth to support the players properly."