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King beginning to feel the heat

If evidence were needed that Bennett King's all-too-brief honeymoon period as West Indies coach is over, it came courtesy of a stinging attack which lambasted him for not returning to the Caribbean after West Indies exit from the VB Series

Cricinfo staff
14-Feb-2005


Bennett King: remained in Australia after the VB Series © Getty Images
If evidence were needed that Bennett King's all-too-brief honeymoon period as West Indies coach is over, it came courtesy of a stinging editorial on caribbeancricket.com which lambasted King for not returning to the Caribbean after West Indies exit from the VB Series.
King remained in Australia while the rest of the squad returned home last week, and although a spokesman for the West Indies Cricket Board said that his return was "imminent", that cut no ice.
"It is equally offensive to have the cricket czar taking time off in the midst of a first-class season , especially considering his lack of familiarity with the region's players," fumed Ryan Patrick. "What better opportunity could there be to establish working relationships with the individual team coaches and managers, and get their insight on their players?
"King's carefully crafted image as a hard taskmaster has been rammed down our throats. If the team's on-field performance doesn't improve soon, the long hot-sun practices will mean nothing."
Patrick's comments are not echoed elsewhere, where the consensus seems to be that King has not had nearly enough time to make any real impact. Although West Indies were successful in September's ICC Champions Trophy, that cannot disguise the reality that he took over a side in virtual freefall and one where real class was in short supply.
Although King will not be given an easy time if the forthcoming home series against South Africa and Pakistan go badly, the one-dayers in Australia were his first chance to see his new charges in action and probably left him painfully aware of just how big a challenge he has on his hands.
There is, however, a sizeable minority in the Caribbean that believe appointing a foreign coach was wrong, and in their eyes King can do no right.