ST, JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Newly appointed West Indies selector Courtney Browne believes his current involvement in the game will be a huge boost to the senior panel.

The 39-year-old Browne was named to the three-man panel last month after West Indies Cricket Board directors approved a recommendation from the Review Committee at a meeting in St Lucia. “It is a privilege to be afforded the opportunity to serve West Indies cricket again. I feel honoured and I will put my best foot forward,” said Browne, who still plays in the Division One domestic championship in Barbados.

“I would have played cricket with some of the players who are still in the West Indies team and there is a lot more involved in cricket now and so I think I will be able to relate to the players a lot better.”

Though boasting a modest international record, Browne is best remembered for his role in steering West Indies to their sensational capture of the 2004 Champions Trophy in England.

Currently the chairman of Barbados’ senior selection panel, he replaces former West Indies spinner Raphick Jumadeen on the Windies panel.

The former wicketkeeper/batsman, who played the last of his 20 Tests and 46 One-Day Internationals five years ago, will join chairman Clyde Butts and Robert Haynes who were both retained from the previous panel.

“I thank the WICB for a new term on the selection panel. I’m pleased as well to be reappointed chairman of the selection panel and I am confident that we will work closely as a group as we continue on a restructuring pathway,” Butts said.

“I welcome Courtney to the panel and look forward to working with him and Robert along with head coach Ottis Gibson as we put our best efforts together to move West Indies cricket forward.”

WICB chief executive Ernest Hilaire lauded Jumadeen for his two years of service.

“On behalf of the Board I would like to thank Raphick for his selfless services during the two-year term he spent on the selection panel and given his dedication to West Indies cricket,” he said.

“I am certain he will continue to be involved in the development of the sport in the future.”

One of the first assignments for the new selection panel will be choosing a squad for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka in November.