Logie: I'm Not Wholly Responsible

Tue, Mar 30, '04

West Indies head coach Gus Logie said he asked out of team selection to gain the trust of the players.

"When I became interim coach last year and spoke with the players, I recognised they have always mistrusted selectors...As a new coach coming into the squad, I felt I needed the trust of the players and I found it difficult being a coach and a selector at the same time. I sacrificed the selectorial side of the post to focus on being coach of the team," Logie said.

According to internal WICB documents, the board's cricket committee (playing and development) did not take too kindly to Logie asking out of the selection process. "The meeting was of the view that being a member of the Tour Selection Committee was part of the duties and responsibilities of the Coach of the West Indies Cricket Team and that as such it was mandatory for Mr. Logie to take part in the selection process."

At a press conference in Barbados ahead of the third Test against England, Logie conceded he considered quitting the post recently. The Trinidadian coach, however, said it was unfair to blame the head coach for the recent failings of the Caribbean side.

"You think about it provided that you are wholly and solely responsible for making the decisions that affect the cricket that is played in the middle."

"I do not see the coach of a West Indies team as the one wholly and solely responsible for making decisions out in the middle. There are some decisions that are completely out of your control," he added.

"If we want to say the buck stops with the coach, then we have to make him have some responsibility. I think the coach has to be empowered with the authority to make decisions that will be in the best interest of the team."