ST JOHN`S: Within hours of quitting as England bowling coach, Ottis Gibson took charge of West Indies.

The West Indies was back in Australia this week to play five one-day internationals and two Twenty20s until February 23 under David Williams, the longtime assistant who took over when John Dyson was sacked in August.

When the squad returns home, Williams will assist Gibson against visiting Zimbabwe from February 28 in a Twenty20 and five one-dayers.

Unlike past coaches, Gibson was yesterday given responsibility for all of West Indies` representative teams by the national cricket board.

"We are at a stage in the development of West Indies cricket where we believe we have the players who are capable of taking the game to the next level," the WICB said in a statement.

"Ottis has the experience and knowledge to work with players at all levels, as he demonstrated with the England team. We are confident he can help to chart the way forward for West Indies cricket."