Desmond Haynes named new Cricket West Indies Lead Selector

Cricket West Indies on Thursday afternoon announced the appointment of legendary former West Indies opening batsman, Desmond Haynes, as the Lead Selector of the West Indies Senior Men’s Team.

Haynes, a Barbadian, replaces Guyanese Roger Harper, whose contract was not renewed as Chairman of the previous Selection Panel.

Haynes was confirmed as the Chief Selector following a Cricket West Indies Board of Directors meeting held earlier on Thursday, the regional board said in a press statement.

Along with his most outstanding cricket credentials, Haynes was recently honoured by the University of the West Indies with an Honorary Doctorate Degree and is a former Senator in the Parliament of Barbados.

Haynes will lead the West Indies Men’s Selection Panel until June 30, 2024, a period that includes four ICC Global events, namely two T20 World Cups in 2022 and 2024, the 50-over Cricket World Cup in 2023 and the World Test Championship Final in 2023.

Haynes represented West Indies in 116 Test matches and 238 One Day Internationals in a 16-year career. He amassed over 16,000 international runs and scored 35 hundreds.

CWI President, Ricky Skerritt, said: “I am delighted to confirm that the Most Hon. Dr. Desmond Haynes has agreed to re-join the CWI cricket system as the Lead Selector. His cricket knowledge and experience are second to none, and I am confident that Desmond is the right man for the right job, at the right time.”

President Skerritt added: “On behalf of our Board of Directors and all stakeholders, I wish Desmond every success as he commences his important Lead role, which starts immediately. I want to also take this opportunity to thank Roger Harper and Miles Bascombe for their commitment and integrity whilst they served on the Panel over the past two years.”

Haynes stated: “I would like to thank President Skerritt and the CWI Board of Directors for giving me the opportunity to serve West Indies cricket once again. Being a Selector is a thankless task, but a critical role in our cricket system and I am honoured to be appointed. I have always indicated that I would assist West Indies cricket in any way possible and I see this as an opportunity to do just that. I pledge to carry out my duties in a fair and professional manner.”