Hunte offers olive branch to players' association

Julian Hunte wasted no time in seeking to mend fences after being elected as the new president of the West Indies Cricket Board on Sunday. One of his first announcements was that Dinanath Ramnarine, the chief executive of the West Indies Players' Association, would be made one of four non-member directors.

The move is an indication that Hunte is keen to involve the players in the decision-making process after several years during which the relationship between the board and the region's cricketers has hit an all-time low.

The other three non-member directors are Professor Hillary Beckles, the principal of the Cave Hill campus of the University of West Indies; Ken Hewitt, the accountant and head of the finance committee of the recent World Cup; and former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd.

"I believe that we cannot improve our cricket without the direct involvement and commitment of our players through their representative organisation," Hunte said. "WIPA has now been given the opportunity to be part of the solution instead of continuing to be perceived as part of the problem. It is both a challenge and an opportunity for that organisation."