ST. JOHN'S, Antigua (CMC):

Dr. Roland Toppin, the man identified to become the chief executive of the West Indies Cricket Board, is no longer available to take up the position.

Tony Deyal, corporate services manager of the WICB, said in a news release yesterday that "Dr. Toppin, who was offered, and accepted, the post of CEO, could no longer take up the appointment for personal reasons."

Deyal added that Dr. Toppin stressed he had been looking forward to the appointment and had been well advanced in his preparations to start on February 1.

"Considerations that were previously unforeseen have now forced him to withdraw," Deyal said.

The WICB has accepted his reasons for withdrawing at this stage and will review the matter at its next meeting in Barbados from February 12 to 13.