PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) — Several former West Indian greats have been named as coaches among the six franchises participating in the inaugural Caribbean Premier League (CPL) scheduled to be played from July 30 to August 24.

They include the former batting maestro Sir Viv Richards as the head coach of the Antigua Franchise.

Sir Viv will be assisted by the former England player Phil Defreitas, organisers announced at a news conference in Port-of Spain on Wednesday.

Roger Harper, the former Test off-spinner, will coach the Guyana team and will have as his assistant fast-bowling great Curtly Ambrose.

“It is good to see the CPL using the former stars from the Caribbean. The region needed this for quite a while and now it is happening,” said former West Indies opening batsman Desmond Haynes.

“This is great as these guys can impart a lot of knowledge when it comes to cricket on and off the field. I like the idea of having the foreign coaches on board as they would bring their ideas and coaching is about sharing ideas.”

In Barbados, Haynes takes charge as the head coach with the Mumbai Indians Robin Singh as his assistant.

Meantime, Former England wicketkeeper Paul Nixon is head coach of the Jamaica franchise and will be assisted by Junior Bennett.

The former West Indies fast bowler Andy Roberts has been assigned head coach of St Lucia with Matthew Maynard from England as his assistant.

And the Trinidad and Tobago franchise will be coached by former Test legend Gordon Greenidge who will have as his assistant national coach David Williams.