Harper to quit as coach after World Cup

Roger Harper’s career as coach of the West Indies cricket team will come to an end when the World Cup comes to a close on March 23.

The 39-year-old Guyanese, who got a three year contract to take over from Viv Richards in March 2000, declined to apply for an extension and will pursue a job that does not require nonstop travel, sources told CaribbeanCricket. com. The West Indies Cricket Board’s (WICB) executive committee had asked Harper to consider staying on through the two home series this year — against Australia and Sri Lanka — but the former all-rounder also turned that down. “His contract ends after the World Cup and that’s it. He wants to be close to his family (in Guyana),” the source said.

Harper, who took 46 wickets (avg 28.06) in 25 Tests for the West Indies, landed the job in controversial circumstances in 2000 when the incumbent Viv Richards was passed over. His hiring prompted angry protests at the WICB headquarters in Antigua and many around the Caribbean, including top level administrators within the WICB, groused about his methods. He was also embroiled in a very public feud with manager Ricky Skerritt who questioned his tactics in e-mails that were subsequently leaked to a section of the media.