WIPA’s secretary, Roland Holder, yesterday made the announcement in a Press release which said Holford had already assumed duties from June 1, at the new office of the association at the Garfield Sobers Complex.

Holford, 58, who captured 51 wickets in 24 Tests as a leg-break bowler and scored 768 runs with one century, will also be the players’ representative at board meetings of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).

According to the release he “will, inter alia, liaise with the WICB with respect to remuneration of members and disciplinary actions.

“Mr. Holford brings a wealth of personal experience to his new post having been a former West Indies Test player and a former manager of Barbados and West Indies teams,” Holder said.

Holford told NATIONSPORT that he saw his appointment as a challenge which would draw on insights he gained in his various roles in regional cricket.

“But the players are my employers, they have to make the decisions,” he added.

“I would think that the role I now have is a buffer zone between the players and The Management of West Indies cricket.”

Holford said that in the past the players had been placed in a “vulnerable” position by having to devote a large chunk of their time to managing the affairs of the cricketers’ association.

The Barbados Government has provided the office space in the Sobers Complex and the West Indies Cricket Board has provided funds for the association’s operations.