bridgetown, barbados, cmc

John Dyson believes he is under no real pressure to perform as West Indies coach but says he wants to prove to the Caribbean he can do the job.

"I'm probably just as passionate about cricket as the people here in the Caribbean," the 53-year-old Dyson told CMC's CricketPlus.

"And this may sound strange for someone who has been bruised and battered by the great West Indian teams but I think it is important in world cricket that West Indies cricket is strong.

"So in terms of do I feel any great pressure, I feel as if I am under pressure to prove to people in the Caribbean that I am deserving of the job and can do the job and you earn their respect from the things that you do so that's the pressure I am under.

"Apart from that I don't feel overly pressure by the assignment yet."

Dyson, a former Australian Test opener, was chosen by the West Indies Cricket Board to replace another Australian, Bennett King who stepped down following the World Cup in the Caribbean earlier this year.

A former Sri Lanka coach, Dyson was chosen from among several Caribbean applicants including Phil Simmons, Hendy Springer, David Williams, Eldine Baptiste and Ian Allen.

Dyson said despite his nationality, there would be no conflict of interest when West Indies meet Australia in the future.

"While I'm employed as West Indies coach here, my goal is to beat the Australian side," Dyson said.

"As much as I love seeing them beat everybody else and when I am employed here of course I want my team to win."

"And this may sound strange for someone who has been bruised and battered by the great West Indian teams but I think it is important in world cricket that West Indies cricket is strong.