ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – The West Indies Cricket Board has finally confirmed the appointment of Joel Garner as West Indies team manager, five days before the start of the first Test against India here.
In a release on Saturday, the WICB said that the legendary former Windies pacer had penned a three-year deal to fill the post left vacant by former West Indies captain, Sir Richie Richardson.
Media reports some weeks ago had indicated that the Barbados Cricket Association president and WICB director was set to be appointed in the role but the team preparation camp kicked off at the 3Ws Oval in Barbados last week, without Garner being installed.
The 63-year-old, who served as interim West Indies team manager between 2009-10, said he was always ready to fulfill any role in West Indies cricket.
“I always answer the call in West Indies cricket,” Garner said.
“It is always an honour to serve in any capacity in West Indies cricket and I’m pleased to be back with the team as manager to share my knowledge and experience to the team and be an ambassador for West Indies cricket and the region.”
Garner’s first assignment will be the upcoming four-Test series against India which bowls off here Thursday at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium.
He is regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time and along with the likes of Malcolm Marshall, Michael Holding and Colin Croft, helped define the West Indies halcyon era of the late 1970s and 80s.
Garner played 58 Tests between 1977 and 1987, taking 259 wickets at an average of 20.97 each and 146 wickets in ODIs at an average of 18.84
The post of manager was made vacant after Sir Richie stepped down after five years in charge, following the tour of Australia in January. He has since taken up an appointment as match referee with the International Cricket Council.
Former West Indies and Windward Islands leg-spinner, Rawl Lewis, served as interim manager for the successful Twenty20 World Cup campaign in India earlier this year.
