Football, banking...and now cricket © WICB Enlarge

Bruce Aanensen, the former manager of Trinidad and Tobago's Soca Warriors football team, has been appointed CEO of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).

Aanensen, who spent eight years as HR director of the Royal Bank of Trinidad and Tobago, effectively replaces Roger Braithwaite who resigned in March 2006. The WICB had found, and appointed, a replacement for Braithwaite - Roland Toppin - but he pulled out of the role just two weeks before he was due to start.

"This is a challenge but one which I welcome," Aanensen said. "I am dedicated to the region and to all the sports that we play. However, cricket remains my first love and I have always wanted to help the West Indies regain its place at the pinnacle of world cricket.

"I believe that I can add value to the plans and policies of the present board to have the kind of organisation in place which could achieve and maintain this objective. I look forward to, and would welcome, the views of all stakeholders on this and all other issues affecting West Indies Cricket."

Aanensen starts his new role on April 16.