Harper Was Never Offered Extension

Despite whispers out of the WICB headquarters in Antigua that outgoing coach Roger Harper was asked to stay on through the home series against Australia and Sri Lanka, CaribbeanCricket.com has learnt that an offer to that effect was never made to Harper.

The only contact made between Harper and the WICB on the issue came just as the deadline for applications was about to expire and sources say and it had nothing to do with any offer of an extension.

In fact, the WICB contacted Harper in early January to remind him of the January 15 deadline date and to ask him if he had forgotten to reapply. At that stage, Harper notified the board that he would not be reapplying because he wanted to spend more time with his family.

The board has unofficially spread the word that its board of directors had asked the executive committee to retain the Harper/Skerritt tandem until after the Sri Lanka home series and then appoint replacements (if needed) when there is a lull in international cricket activity.

Sources say Skerritt has reapplied for the job as team manager and has been included in a shortlist that also includes WICB chief operations officer Michael Hall.