Cricket West Indies announced on Monday that veteran and white-ball specialist Kieron Pollard will take over as captain of the ODI and T20I side.

CWI President Ricky Skerritt revealed that a Selection Task Force had deliberated hard through the quarterly meeting held on September 7 and 8 before coming to the conclusion. Pollard takes over the 50-over reins from Jason Holder, while replacing Carlos Brathwaite at the helm of the T20I team. Holder though will continue to lead the country in Tests.

The Trinidadian last played an ODI against Pakistan in 2016 and has previously skippered the side, as a stand-in, in two games in 2013 against India and Sri Lanka. His first challenge will come when the Windies lock horns with Afghanistan in November for three T20Is and as many ODIs in India.

Speaking at the press conference, Pollard said: “I’ve played franchise all over the world and hope to use that experience to help the West Indies in my role as captain. In the short term as captain, the immediate goal is to defend the T20 World Cup. One of the discussions I hope to have is to bring back the idea of specialists playing in their best positions.”

In the past, there have been a list of players opting out of national duty to participate in lucrative tournaments like the Indian Premier League or the Caribbean Premier League but Skerritt reassured that going forward, there would a more constructive solution found. “We want our players to play in world leagues to strengthen their game in different conditions. They will not have to sacrifice CPL and IPL to play for the West Indies, both can coexist with mutual benefits,” he explained.

The West Indies board have also advertised for a full-time coach with the deadline set at September 20.