over his continued absence.

The former England Test batsman had spent less than a month on the Island since his appointment last September.

And with the national senior squad now just six weeks away from their first match in the ICC Trophy -- the official qualifying tournament for the 2003 World Cup -- criticism was mounting over what many believed to be a lack of commitment.

Butcher, currently in England, couldn't be reached for comment last night. And messages left at his home were not returned.

However, it's understood that a court case in which he is in some way embroiled, was offered as the main reason why he has been unable to carry out his duties.

In previous interviews, the Barbadian-born batsman had refused to divulge details of the case or indicate why he was involved, and Bermuda Cricket Board of Control had also been reluctant to discuss his personal affairs.

Repeatedly, Butcher has insisted that the court case was not the reason for his delayed arrival -- he finally took up residence in Bermuda on March 31 but left again less than three weeks later.

He pointed to business and domestic problems as the main stumbling blocks.

A short statement issued by the BCBC yesterday noted that Butcher had "resigned from the position of national cricket coach effective immediately.'' The statement continued: "Mr. Butcher has advised that due to a situation that has arisen beyond his control, it is impossible for him at this time to give the BCBC and the team his full attention.

"Mr. Butcher also wishes to express that he was 100 percent committed to the task of national coach and had looked forward to advancing Bermuda as a cricket nation over the next few years, but because of circumstances which require his temporary presence this is impossible.

"The Bermuda Cricket Board of Control has accepted Mr. Butcher's resignation and will continue in its efforts to fill the position of national coach.'' Later, BCBC president El James confirmed that no immediate replacement had been found, and that staff coaches Winston Reid and Clevie Wade, who have taken charge of the national squad during Butcher's absence, would lead the squad into the ICC tournament in Toronto, Canada, next month.

James conceded that he and his fellow BCBC executives had been saddened by the whole affair.

"When we started this recruitment a year ago, we had good intentions,'' said James. "And I do believe Mr. Butcher's intentions were good as well.

"But we are saddened because we believed then and still believe now that he had qualities that would really have been an attribute to the position ...

and Bermuda would have benefited from his knowledge.

"But as our statement said, there's some things that did arise after we had agreed on his employment that have definitely been out of his control, much to his regret. And I must say he is disappointed with what has happened.

"He would still like to continue but at this point I think because of the situation and because of his absence, we had to look at his credibility.'' In the short-term, said James, it would be up to Reid and Wade to spearhead Bermuda's ICC challenge, but the search would continue for a fully qualified coach to implement a new national cricket programme.

"It's too late (for ICC) to bring someone in now,'' explained the president.

"These fellas (Reid and Wade) have worked with the team and they know the team, and they have forged a relationship with the team. We wouldn't want to bring anybody in at this particular time.

"But we still need someone because we have so many other commitments, with the under-15s and the under-19s, the senior squad, the Red Stripe coming along, and then next year the trip to Argentina.

"And then we still have the schools to address, so we need a person in place and it is our intention to continue in our efforts to fill the position of national cricket coach.'' Roland Butcher: Resigned after less than nine months in charge.