William Bourne quits

Another senior official closely linked to the Barbados cricket team has quit his job.

William Bourne has resigned his post as coach of the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA), a little over a week after it was confirmed that Desmond Haynes had given up the post of chairman of selectors.

Yesterday, BCA secretary Philip Nicholls would only say: "Mr Bourne is no longer with the BCA. His employment has come to an end."

As to whether Bourne left of his own free will or was "pushed", Nicholls had "no comment".

Bourne was not prepared to shed much light on the issue either, but said he had severed ties with the BCA as far back as March 5.

The situation puts the BCA in a quandary as Barbados prepares for the Red Stripe Bowl One-Day competition starting on October 3.

Springer is expected to be with the team for the Red Stripe Bowl, but an inside source said a "full-time coach is vital to the smooth running and development of the game".

The source told the SUNSPORT yesterday that the matter could be heading for the law courts.

In January, Bourne was replaced as Barbados' team coach by Hendy Springer for the Busta Cup, and then asked to formulate a programme for the future development of cricket on the island.

This programme came at the request of Prime Minister Owen Arthur, who said he would commit funds to the BCA if a framework was put in place to develop young players aimed at putting together a professional network.

So far there has been no word about the programme.

Bourne was national coach throughout the 1990s, travelling with the senior and junior sides. He also coached the West Indies Under-19 team to England in 1993.

He is a former Barbados fast bowler and played professionally for Warwickshire in the English County Championship.