Lloyd out, Browne in

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC):

Distinguished former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd has been axed as chairman of selectors after just two years in charge and replaced by Courtney Browne.

The 71-year-old was appointed for a two-year term back in August 2014 but will now make way for Browne, a current selector and former West Indies wicketkeeper and Barbados captain, who will take up duties immediately.

According to the West Indies Cricket Board (WIBC), Lloyd will now assume the role of special ambassador, which will see him "responsible for being a spokesperson for the board at special events in and out of the region".

He will end his current role as a selector on September 30 and immediately take up the new post.

"The time as chairman was quite rewarding, and I am hoping my contribution would have added value to the current system," Lloyd said in a WICB release.

"I made every attempt to serve with distinction, and I was pleased to contribute to the game again. I look forward to the new role. The details of that arrangement will be discussed and will be released shortly."

Lloyd's name is steeped in Caribbean folklore after leading West Indies to the capture of the first-ever Cricket World Cups in 1975 and 1979.

One of the legends of the game, he amassed over 7,000 runs in 110 Tests in a career which spanned from 1966 to 1985.

Following his playing days, Lloyd served as West Indies senior team manager, an International Cricket Council match referee, and head of its cricket committee.

As chief selector, he oversaw a turbulent period that included the fractious abandoned one-day tour of India and the controversial non-selection of Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo.

His selection panel came under scrutiny last September when head coach Phil Simmons bizarrely claimed that there had been "outside interference" in the selection of the one-day squad to tour Sri Lanka.

On Wednesday, WICB president Dave Cameron thanked Lloyd for his "selfless contribution", noting that the new role would be a great opportunity for the Guyanese to continue his service.

"We are satisfied that Clive's upcoming role will serve as another great opportunity to promote the best of West Indies Cricket," Cameron said.

Browne, meanwhile, has served on the selection panel for nearly six years, having been appointed back in 2010.

The 45-year-old, who played 20 Tests and 46 One-Day Internationals between 1995 and 2005, has, in recent years, had responsibility for the selection of the women's team and Under-19s.

Browne's first assignment will be overseeing the selection of a squad to face India in a four-Test tour of the Caribbean, starting next month.