Aanensen hands in resignation

Bruce Aanensen has handed in his resignation as West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) chief executive. The board will now meet to discuss whether or not to accept the decision, potentially bringing to a close a turbulent six months in the Caribbean.

"I have sent in my letter of resignation to the president. He has indicated to me that they are going to meet on Wednesday to discuss the letter and hence I think that it is inappropriate for me to comment on the matter at this point," Aanensen told CMC Sports.

"Surely by Thursday of this week, I would be able to make a comment and give the reasons for my decision."

Barry Thomas, the WICB's chief financial officer, is expected to act as CEO in the interim. Aanensen is currently on vacation. Aanensen took up the position in February this year, replacing Roger Brathwaite, who stepped down the previous year.

Aanensen told CMC Sports he will explain the reasons for his resignation after the board meets in Barbados on Wednesday. "I have sent in my letter of resignation to the president. He has indicated to me they are going to meet on Wednesday to discuss the letter and I think that it is inappropriate for me to comment on the matter at this point," he said.

The decision will, no doubt be a popular one with the West Indies Players Association (WIPA), who have called for him to step down after a series of disputes. WIPA's stance came about initially after comments attributed to Aanensen in which he referred to the West Indies team as 'incompetent'. But since February, Aanensen has been involved in a number of clashes with the players' body.

There were disagreements over players' contracts in the run-in to the World Cup and he was also involved in the dispute surrounding the summer tour to England and whether it was a part of the ICC's Future Tours Programme.

Dinanath Ramnarine, President WIPA, subsequently wrote in a letter to the board that he found it difficult to work with Aanensen and that his management style was "unfortunate and surprising for a CEO who has only recently assumed his position". Ramnarine denied writing the letter. however.

Ramnarine's subsequent appointment as a director with the board is thought to have made Aanensen's position untenable. But the decision by the new president of the WICB, Julian Hunte, to work with WIPA in resolving all outstanding issues, is thought to have played a determining role in Aanensen's decision.

Hunte is keen to improve the board's relationship with WIPA and, according to the respected CaribbeanCricket.com "has been working behind the scenes to get the players paid but Aanensen has been firm in his belief that issuing the payments will put him in legal hot water."

The website further reports that In his resignation, Aanensen cited being caught between a rock and a hard place - likely to be pushed out if he refused Hunte's directive or facing legal problems if he went ahead and issued payments.