Desmond Haynes appointed new West Indies men lead selector

The legendary opening batter succeeds Roger Harper following his departure from the role at the end of 2021

Cricket West Indies have installed Desmond Haynes as the new lead selector of the senior men's team.

Roger Harper left the role at the end of 2021 after his two-year contract was not renewed.

Head coach Phil Simmons took over the position on a temporary basis and picked the squads for the upcoming white-ball matches against Ireland and England.

Haynes has been handed a two-and-a-half-year deal that runs until June 2024 by CWI which covers the remainder of the ongoing World Test Championship cycle, two T20 World Cups and next year's 50-over tournament in India.

"Being a selector is a thankless task, but a critical role in our cricket system and I am honoured to be appointed," said Haynes, who was shortlisted for the head coach role eventually filled by Simmons in 2019.

^{Roger Harper had led selection since 2019 (Randy Brook/AFP/Getty Images)}

"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 65-year-old's appointment marks his full return to the sport, following a stellar professional career between 1976 and 1994.

Regarded as one of the great opening batters in international history, only three players - Brian Lara, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Chris Gayle - have more runs for West Indies than Haynes' 16,135 across the formats.

He played 114 Tests and 238 one-day internationals for the Windies and was part of the team that won the World Cup in 1979.