Gus Logie has been named as the new interim head coach of Jamaica.

The former Bermuda head coach, who led the Island to the 2007 World Cup, has signed a four-month contract after being drafted in to replace Junior Bennett, and will begin his new role on December 1.

Bennett's departure comes as something of a surprise given his success in helping Jamaica win the West Indies regional four-day competition for the past three seasons running. He also led them to victory in the One Day competition in 2008.

However, the Jamaica Cricket Association are believed to be concerned at his lack of experience at a higher level, and have appointed Logie in the short term to help them in the shorter form of the game.

Logie's ex-West Indies team-mate Jimmy Adams, who is the JCA's technical director, told the board that changes needed to be made to the island's coaching structure if improvements were to be made in the future.

"The appointment of Logie is all part of a restructuring of our cricket, and the need to improve the level and standards of our coaching staff," said JCA president Paul Campbell.

"The technical department, headed by Jimmy Adams, recommended a number of changes and improvements to the structure of the coaching staff so as to make the country more competitive, especially among the shorter versions of the game.

"These were then submitted to the board of directors, who determined that they were fair requests, and gave the go-ahead to secure Logie's services and corporate support for the initiative.

"We have had success under Junior Bennett, especially in four-day tournaments, and there is no doubt about his contribution. But it was felt that more needed to be done to strengthen the coaching framework of the national team, and at this point in time we believe Logie represents a solid choice."

With the Jamaica team currently preparing for the Caribbean Twenty20 tournament to be staged in Antigua and Barbados, Bennett is expected to remain in charge of the side until he hands over the reigns to Logie in a little less than two weeks time.

"He (Adams) sent an e-mail asking if I could facilitate a transitional period because Logie starts on December 1 and the team is in training now," said Bennett.

"So I told him that I don't have a contract with the Board right now, but if something can be ironed out, I'm willing to facilitate the process because it's our cricket so I'm willing to help out.

"Once the terms are outlined I have no problem working in that transitional period. These are players that I've been working with for years and what I do is for Jamaica's cricket and its cricketers," he said.