Brathwaite pre-empted a board review of his position by announcing he would step down on April 28, a year away from the World Cup in the Caribbean.

Brathwaite argued the board had stemmed financial losses during his tenure, saying in a statement: "The past four years have been quite challenging.

"I leave having done the best I could within the organisation's framework."

The WICB generated a 1.1-million-pound profit in 2003, and 3 millions in 2004 before it was hit last year by a row between rival sponsors, provoking a player strike.

It has recently secured multi-million dollar loan facility to allow it to operate day-to-day at least until the start of the World Cup.