Q: Were you surprised you got the job? Especially after the reports that Bob Woolmer was the frontrunner...

BK:Well, I don’t have the job yet. I’m the preferred candidate but I’m not the West Indies coach yet. It’s all contingent on negotiations. We haven’t even started discussions yet...

Q:But, at this stage, aren’t those negotiations just a formality? They (the WICB) announced you are the man.

BK:Don’t make that assumption that it’s a done deal. There are a lot of things to be sorted out. I’m still employed by the Australia Cricket Board (ACB). I’ve been up front with my employers about my interest in the West Indies job but I’m annoyed at how this has played out. I interviewed for the job during the World Cup competition and I hadn’t heard from the (West Indies) board until today. Then, I’m hearing from the media. I don’t even have a job offer and an announcement was made to the media.

Q:When do you expect to start negotiating with the West Indies board?

BK:As of this moment, I have a lot of things to sort out. The process has to play out before I can say I’m the coach of the West Indies team. My employers (at the ACB) have been very supportive from day one. I expect to talk to the West Indies board soon and we’ll take it from there.

NOTE: After this interview was conducted, the WICB issued a joint statement with Bennett King that said he was “excited about the prospect of being the coach of the West Indies team, but is awaiting a formal offer before confirming a decision.”

Q:What was it about the West Indies job that piqued your interest?

BK:I see a side that certainly has a lot of skill and ability. The West Indies team has a presence in international cricket. The results might not show it yet but there have been marked improvements lately. I have seen some very good things, especially in the batting.

I see a side that could potentially stay together for five to ten years. It’s a young side with developing talent. I’m used to working with young talent (at the Australian academy) so it fits into what I do well. This is a very good time to be working with the West Indies team. There are some high-quality players there.

Hopefully, they (the players) have the desire to take West Indies cricket back to the top. As coach, that would be my objective, to get the team to the head of the pack.

Q:You’ll be the first foreigner to coach the Caribbean team. Any trepidation coming into a situation where you might not be warmly welcomed by all?

BK:The only thing foreign about me is the colour of my skin. I’m a cricket coach. They are cricketers. What’s so foreign about that? I might look like an outsider if you choose to look at my skin colour. It’s simple. I’ve got a passion for cricket. I’m a cricket coach. They’re international cricketers that should have that same passion. There’s a common interest right there.

If people want to look at me as an outsider, that’s their choice. There’s nothing I can do about that. From my standpoint, I’m a cricket coach hired to work with cricketers. I can’t control how people view me.

Q:Cricket coaching has progressed towards technology and science. Do you embrace the new-age philosophies where the computer is as important as net practice?

BK:I’m all for using the technology. The coaching process is about using everything at your disposal to get the team prepared. Coaching is preparation. (At the academy), we integrate technology into the preparation process. But, more than that, I put a lot of emphasis on placing responsibility back within the team. On and off the field, players have to be responsible... to themselves and their teammates.

Q:You come from a rugby background. Do you bring that same ‘tough-as-nails’ rugby mentality to cricket coaching?

BK:(Laughs) I think you’d have to ask the players I’ve coached. I don’t think I’m a ‘tough’ coach, so to speak. I’ve got two basic rules. One is to be punctual and the other is to play as hard as you can. Those are very simple rules but I’m strict about them. I try to put the emphasis on players being responsible. If they are punctual and they play hard all the time, that’s the responsibility I look for. I don’t think there’s anything ‘tough’ about that.

Q:In terms of facilities and infrastructure for cricket, you are moving from the penthouse to the doghouse. How difficult will that be for you?

BK:I’ve seen the facilities before so I have a sense of what’s available. I’ll get to experience that some more. I did some work for the (Shell) Academy in Grenada for about 2-3 weeks. I don’t see the lack of facilities as a major impediment. I see it as a way of creating new coaching techniques and standards.

It’s an opportunity to show there are ways you can coach by making use of what you have. You have to innovate further and make sure the players are prepared properly, regardless of what’s available.

Q:Gus Logie has been appointed as your assistant. Have you ever met him? What do you know about him?

BK:I’ve never met Gus. I’m sure I’ll be speaking with him very soon. I want to talk to him and to other members of the team before I even make a final decision. It’s pointless accepting the job if we’re not all on the same page. I don’t want to be in a situation where there is a lot of talking behind backs and people trying to undermine everything. I don’t believe that’s the case with Gus. When I interviewed for the job, (WICB CEO) Roger Brathwaite mentioned that Gus was one of the nicest guys around. I’ve only heard good things about Gus and I plan to talk to him pretty soon.

I look for loyalty and honesty from my players and my staff. That’s important if we are to get the job done.

Q:And, Lara? He’s the new captain...

BK:I don’t know Lara personally. It’s hard to have an opinion of someone you’ve never met. As captain, Brian will be a very important part of the whole structure. I’d expect we’d have to work closely on all matters pertaining to West Indies cricket. He’s a great batsman, I can tell you that. Sarwan too is a key part of the future. Sarwan is obviously a very, very good player. Whether he has leadership qualities or not, I don’t know. I haven’t spent any time with him. Like I said earlier, I like the team. It’s a team that will be together for a very long time. That was the attraction to the job in the first place.

Q:Do you plan to talk to Roger Harper, the man you will be replacing?

BK:If I get the opportunity, it would make sense to talk to Roger. I’d appreciate the chance to talk to him about what’s in place. It would help with continuity.

Q:When do you expect to get the contractual issues cleared up?

BK:I don’t have a time frame. It’s in the hands of the WICB. Our discussions haven’t started yet. They told me they want me in time for the tour of Zimbabwe, which follows the Australia and Sri Lanka home series. There’s still a lot of time to get things straightened out.

Q:Do you plan to watch the Australia series much more closely than normal?

BK:Whenever I watch cricket, I follow things closely. I’m a coach and that’s what coaches do. If it was Zimbabwe versus Kenya, I’d be watching closely too. I always pay attention to cricket.