West Indies women's cricket has entered a transition phase. Shane Deitz's three-year spell as head coach ended on October 31, 2026, by mutual agreement with Cricket West Indies (CWI). Andre Coley steps in as interim head coach, with a six-match home series against Pakistan as his first assignment.
Deitz's Tenure by the Numbers
Deitz's time in charge lasted three years. The headline outcome was consecutive semi-final appearances at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup, in 2024 and 2026.
Reaching the last four in back-to-back editions placed West Indies among the more consistent performers in the global women's game over that period. CWI director of cricket Miles Bascombe said the team now holds itself to that standard.
| Metric | Detail |
|---|
| Tenure length | 3 years |
| Tenure end date | October 31, 2026 |
| Women's T20 World Cup semi-finals | 2 (2024 and 2026) |
| Nature of exit | Mutual decision between board and coach |
Why Consecutive Semi-Finals Matter
Two successive semi-final appearances point to repeatable performance rather than a single strong tournament. For a programme that relies on a limited fixture calendar, that consistency is a meaningful benchmark.
It also sets a measurable baseline for whoever takes the job permanently. Any successor will likely be judged against a record of two semi-finals in two editions.
Coley Takes Over: What the Board Said
Bascombe described the handover as a joint decision. He said Deitz informed the board of his plans and both sides agreed a clean transition now was best for the team.
Coley brings experience from across the West Indies cricket system, including last year's engagement with the Men's A-Team. The board wants preparation for Pakistan to continue without interruption.
Continuity in the Support Staff
Coley will keep the existing backroom team intact. Assistant coaches Ryan Austrian and Shane Dowrich stay in their positions, which limits disruption to the support structure.
One change had already occurred. Australian bowling coach Damien Wright left the women's setup in July 2026, several months before Deitz's exit was confirmed.
| Role | Person | Status |
|---|
| Head coach | Andre Coley | Interim |
| Assistant coach | Ryan Austrian | Retained |
| Assistant coach | Shane Dowrich | Retained |
| Bowling coach | Damien Wright | Left in July 2026 |
The Pakistan Series: Coley's First Test
Coley's first assignment is the home series against Pakistan, from December 8 to 22 at Windsor Park in Dominica. It includes three ODIs and three T20Is.
That gives the interim coach six international matches across two formats within a 15-day window. It is a full bilateral programme rather than a short introductory assignment.
| Detail | Information |
|---|
| Opponent | Pakistan |
| Venue | Windsor Park, Dominica |
| Dates | December 8 to 22 |
| ODIs | 3 |
| T20Is | 3 |
| Total matches | 6 |
What to Watch
The series offers an early read on how the squad performs without Deitz. Win-loss results across both formats, along with batting and bowling returns, will show whether the continuity argument holds.
Retaining the assistant coaches should help keep tactical approaches consistent. The T20I results will be of particular interest given the recent World Cup semi-final record.
What Comes Next for the Programme
With Coley in place, the management structure is settled for the Pakistan series. A formal recruitment process for a permanent head coach is expected to follow in due course.
No timeline or shortlist has been confirmed. Until then, the interim appointment and unchanged assistant staff are the main stabilising factors for the squad.