The next chapter for West Indies Women will begin with a change in the coaching staff. Cricket West Indies (CWI) has confirmed that Shane Deitz’s service as head coach ended at the end of October 2026, after three years in the position. The decision was mutually agreed as Deitz prepares to pursue a new opportunity. CWI announced the change on November 3 in St John’s, Antigua, and named Andre Coley as interim head coach for the team’s upcoming series against Pakistan. The move brings Deitz’s time with the side to a close and places Coley in charge for the next assignment.
Coley will work with the existing support staff during the Pakistan series. He is not new to the West Indies coaching set-up: he previously served as head coach of the men’s Test team and remains involved in the wider coaching system. His work has continued through engagements in the High-Performance Programme, including last year’s West Indies Men’s A-Team engagement. CWI believes his experience across the system will help the women’s side maintain continuity while it prepares for Pakistan. His background gives the team a coach who understands the system and can work with staff as preparations for the series continue.
Deitz’s departure follows a three-year period that included two strong results on the global stage. West Indies Women reached the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2024 and again in 2026, making it two consecutive appearances at that stage. CWI Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe pointed to those campaigns when acknowledging Deitz’s contribution. He said the team now sees reaching the semi-finals as the standard it expects of itself. Bascombe also explained that Deitz had informed CWI of his plans, after which both sides agreed that a handover at this point would serve the team best.
Bascombe said: “Shane took this team to two World Cup semi-finals in a row, and that is now the standard this group holds itself to. We thank him for it. He told us of his plans, and we agreed together that a clean handover now was best for the team. Andre brings valuable experience from across West Indies cricket system, including last year’s Men’s A-Team engagement. We appreciate his willingness to take on this assignment and ensure that preparation for Pakistan carries on without interruption.”
Deitz also shared his thoughts as he finished his work with CWI. He looked back positively on the three years and thanked the people who supported him during that time. His message included the players, the staff and Cricket West Indies, and he wished the team success in the future. Deitz said: “I look back on a successful three years, and I want to thank the players, the staff, and Cricket West Indies for their support. I wish the team every success.”
Coley’s appointment is an interim arrangement for the Pakistan series, with the current support staff beside him. CWI has not named a permanent replacement for Deitz. The organisation said it will share further updates about the team’s leadership in due course. For now, the coaching change marks the end of Deitz’s three-year spell and gives Coley responsibility for guiding the women’s team through its next assignment.
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