The first West Indian player to represent England in Test cricket has landed himself the role of Bermuda national cricket coach.

Barbados-born Roland Butcher is the man that Bermuda Cricket Board of Control have finally chosen after an extended search for a top quality qualified coach -- one that attracted applications from around the globe.

"We are satisfied that Mr. Butcher has everything we need and the Board is optimistic that our programme will be placed in very capable hands once he arrives and settles down,'' said BCBC president El James yesterday.

Butcher, married with two children, is expected to officially move into his position next month, giving him some time to assist in preparing the senior national team for the Caribbean Red Stripe Bowl.

But James pointed out that his arrival still hinged on Immigration approval.

The president was reluctant to reveal any details of the contract being offered, namely the number of years or salary -- although it is believed he will be given a package worth some $60,000 a year.

James expressed relief in filling a role which he believed had been left vacant for too long.

"I am excited because he has everything we need. He has the professionalism, he has played at the top level, he has good qualifications, he has international coaching experience and most important of all he will come to us with experience in the schools,'' said James.

"We definitely want a good programme to take into our schools. When we set out a job description, we emphasised that our main goal was to get somebody who was capable of going into the schools and working with the teachers and the students. It's always been an area that we felt had been neglected too long.

"And the fact that Mr. Butcher is presently the first team coach for Westminister Public Schools (in England) says a lot and in talking with him recently we realise that he is looking forward to doing some positive things here in our schools.'' Butcher, who beat out as many as 15 other applicants, has an impressive track record ranging from his playing days in Barbados to the present.

He played Shell Shield for Barbados before taking up a professional career in England, playing for Middlesex for 19 years from 1972 to 1991.

He made his Test debut for England against Australia in 1980 and once his playing careeer ended he went on to pursue a career in coaching that landed him jobs as an MCC staff member, national coach of Grenada, player/coach of Tasmania and various other posts in New Zealand and Australia.