KINGSTON, April 23: Australian Bennett King has resigned as coach of West Indies following the team's disappointing performance in the World Cup, a Jamaican newspaper reported on Monday.

“He gave up his job as coach,” West Indies Cricket Board member Jackie Hendriks told the Jamaica Gleaner, adding that fast bowler Ian Bradshaw had quit international cricket.

“He (King) has offered to stay on for a month to help with the setting up of the academy.”

West Indies media manager Imran Khan was unable to confirm the report.

King's contract was due to run out in November but he had come under intense criticism after the team suffered four successive defeats in the second round.

The 42-year-old, who had been in the job since 2004, would be the fourth coach of a Test-playing nation to resign after poor World Cup performances.

England's Duncan Fletcher, India's Greg Chappell and Dav Whatmore of Bangladesh have also resigned.

Unbeaten semi-finalists Australia's John Buchanan was due to leave after the tournament but he announced that last August.

With the West Indies set for a tour of England starting next month, King has recommended that his assistant David Moore take over.

“I have heard that he recommended his assistant David Moore to take the team to England,” former Test wicket-keeper Hendriks said.

Bradshaw, 32, has played 62 One-day Internationals and taken 78 wickets. He played five Tests.

Their exits follow the departure of West Indies batting great Brian Lara, who holds the top scores in Test and first-class cricket.

Lara played his last international match in West Indies’ one-wicket defeat by England on Saturday.—Reuters