Iconic West Indies opener Desmond Haynes has been appointed lead selector for the Caribbean side’s senior
men’s team, replacing Roger Harper, whose contract was not renewed in December 2021.

The former opening batsman will lead the West Indies Men’s Selection Panel until June 30, 2024, a period that includes four ICC Global Events, two T20 World Cups (2022 & 2024), the Cricket World Cup (2023) and the World Test Championship Final (2023).

Dr Desmond Haynes played 116 Test matches and 238 One-Day Internationals for the West Indies between 1978 and 1994.

During that time, he scored 7487 runs in Tests, including 18 centuries and 8648 runs in ODIs, including 17 centuries. He captained the West Indies in four Test matches and was a member of the West Indies team which won the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 1979. He was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame in June 2021.

Along with his 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.

He was confirmed as the new men’s team lead selector during a meeting of the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Board of Directors earlier on Thursday (January 6).

“I am delighted to confirm that the 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,” said CWI president Ricky Skerritt.

“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,” Skerritt added.

Haynes said he was pleased to be able to serve the West Indies once again.

“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,” Dr Haynes said.

“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,” the new lead selector added.