Courtney Walsh and Rayon Griffith named assistant coaches as West Indies Women gear up for India series

The pair join interim head coach Gus Logie ahead of three ODIs and five T20Is, beginning this afternoon in North Sound, Antigua

Courtney Walsh and Rayon Griffith have been brought in as assistant coaches of the West Indies Women side ahead of an eight-match limited overs series against India, starting in Antigua this afternoon.

Walsh, who remains the West Indies' all-time leader with 519 Test wickets before retiring in 2001, has backroom experience as a national selector and had most recently been bowling coach of Bangladesh's men's side since August 2016.

Griffith comes to the role having served as assistant coach of CPL finalists Guyana Amazon Warriors and the West Indies Men during this summer's World Cup.

"The ladies have been very warm and receptive and listened to what I’ve got to say. They are not afraid of trying and implementing what I’ve been telling them," said Walsh.

"I think one of the advantages I have is that I was involved in women's cricket before as a selector and I was part of a couple of their training camps, so they know me and they’ve seen me around.

"They know I want the best for them and they appreciate that, so for me it's a plus coming back into the fold of the women's team now."

The news follows last month's naming of former Bermuda and Canada boss Gus Logie as interim head coach following reorganisation within Cricket West Indies.

Logie, who lined up alongside Walsh in 39 of his 52 Tests between 1985 and 1991, had previously served two years as assistant to predecessor Henderson Springer, who now moves across to focus on the board's coaching education programme.

"Gus has a long history with West Indies cricket, both as a player and as a coach," said CWI director of cricket Jimmy Adams upon Logie's promotion.

"He has been a part of the women's team for the last two years and knows the players' techniques and skillsets. I have no doubt he will continue his hard work in preparing the team for India Women and then the T20 World Cup next year.

"We are extremely grateful to Hendy for his contribution to the women's program over the last two years and we will continue to exploit his prior experience within coaching education."

Logie's setup will face their first test at home today in the first of three ODIs against India at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua. The series, which forms part of the ICC Women's Championship, will then be followed by five T20 internationals later this month.

The hosts' hopes will be boosted by the availability of allrounder Hayley Matthews in time for the third ODI following an eight-match disciplinary suspension. Fellow allrounder Deandra Dottin may yet also feature, with her return from a shoulder injury currently being managed by CWI.

Meanwhile, the visitors are set to welcome explosive opener Smriti Mandhana back to the side in time for the second game of the ODI series after a broken toe forced her to miss the 50-over portion of South Africa's tour of India last month.