Chief Operations Officer quits WICB

ST JOHN’S: Michael Hall resigned as chief operations officer of the West Indies Cricket Board, saying on Saturday he was leaving the Caribbean group with no “bitterness or acrimony.” Hall’s resignation on Friday prompted speculation among regional cricketers of a fallout among the top-level after board president Wes Hall’s announced he would not seek re-election due to health concerns that limited his ability to travel. Michael Hall on Saturday dismissed as “imaginary” allegations that he was angry over Skerritt’s remaining team manager, a post Skerritt has held since 2000. Instead, the 42-year-old Jamaican said he felt his resignation was “necessary at this time when West Indies cricket is at a crucial point in its rebuilding process.” According to his resignation letter to board CEO Roger Brathwaite, Michael Hall said he wanted to pursue other job opportunities in his native Jamaica, the Antigua-based cricket board said. “I leave the WICB with no bitterness or acrimony, and consider myself privileged, through my appointment two years ago, to have been asked to make a contribution to our great game,”  according to Saturday’s statement.

He also said he had a good working relationship with the outgoing board president, who is due to leave his post next month. Wes Hall, 65, has not given details about his health condition. The cricket body will choose a new president at their annual meeting July 12-13 in Dominica. “The passion with which Caribbean people follow our game is immeasurable, and it is important that this support never wane,” Michael Hall said. The board have given no details of how they might fill the chief operations officer position, which is responsible for setting up cricket tournaments and tours for the West Indies cricket team.