Windies axe Dyson

Back to the drawing board: John Dyson's departure comes after a mixed spell in charge of West Indies

The West Indies Cricket Board has terminated the contract of national team coach John Dyson ahead of next month’s ICC Champions Trophy.

Dyson leaves his post in the wake of recent Test and one-day series losses to Bangladesh, although West Indies fielded weakened teams in both due to a contract dispute between the WICB and leading players.

The WICB gave no reason for Dyson’s dismissal in a statement posted on {error} today.

The decision to sack Dyson came after a meeting of the WICB executive committee, during which it was confirmed assistant coach David Williams will take up the reins on a temporary basis, and will lead the team at the Champions Trophy which gets under way in South Africa on September 22.

“The services of Mr John Dyson have been terminated with immediate effect,” the WICB statement read. “The assistant coach, Mr David Williams, will fill this position on a temporary basis for this tour.”

West Indies are set to take a second-string side to South Africa in the wake of the contract dispute, even if a resolution can be found in the meantime.

The statement added: “In view of the special circumstances pertaining to this tour, the former West Indies vice-captain and off-spin bowler, Mr Lance Gibbs, has been appointed the team manager.

“Mr Omar Khan, the incumbent manager, has been temporarily assigned to the preparation and management of the West Indies Under-19 team for the International Cricket Council’s Youth World Cup in New Zealand in 2010.”