Windies sack coach Pybus just weeks before World Cup

The West Indies sacked controversial coach Richard Pybus amid a flurry of changes announced Thursday, only seven weeks before the start of the World Cup.

Floyd Reifer will become interim head coach, with Robert Haynes replacing Courtney Browne as interim head of selectors, while the entire selection panel has also been changed.

The Windies had seen an upturn in fortunes on the pitch in recent months, with a shock 2-1 Test series win over England and 2-2 one-day international series draw.

They open their World Cup campaign against Pakistan at Trent Bridge on May 31 - the second day of the tournament in England and Wales.

Cricket West Indies announce Floyd Reifer as interim coach of the men’s side.

Richard Pybus returns to his role of high performance director after serving as coach for the series win over England. #bbccricket pic.twitter.com/kbO5yNVNdA

— Test Match Special (@bbctms) April 11, 2019

The appointment of Englishman Pybus had been met with criticism, including from former captain Darren Sammy, who blamed him for causing the West Indies squad to strike on the 2016 India tour while the director of cricket.

The change of coach could potentially pave the way for star players to return to the team, with the likes of Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard playing almost exclusively franchise Twenty20 cricket, with Andre Russell also having not played an ODI since last July.

Ricky Skerritt replaced former CWI president Dave Cameron last month after beating him in an election.