ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) — West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) director Joel Garner will continue as manager of the West Indies team on their tour to Sri Lanka next month.

The 57-year-old, who played 58 Tests between 1977 and 1987, was named by the WICB on Tuesday after having served in the position since last December when the regional side toured Australia

West Indies face Sri Lanka in three Tests on a tour starting November 10, and which also includes five One-Day Internationals.

The WICB had advertised the post of team manager after the series against South Africa last year but said Tuesday it was “continuing the process of identifying a candidate to fill the position for the long term.”

Garner, also the Barbados Cricket Association president, was first appointed as manager when a full strength team was selected following the bitter impasse which saw a second string side face Bangladesh in the Caribbean.

He continued in that position for Zimbabwe’s one-day tour of the region, the World Twenty20 Championship and South Africa’s tour of the Caribbean.

Garner said yesterday he was happy to perform the role in helping the side on what would be a challenging tour of the sub-continent.

“It is an honour to serve West Indies cricket in whatever capacity I am asked. As always, I am willing to do what is required to see West Indies cricket move forward,” said Garner.

“The upcoming tour to Sri Lanka is an important one for us and I am happy to offer my full support to the team.”

Garner is a part of the management team that includes head coach Ottis Gibson and assistant coach David Williams.

West Indies open the tour with a three-day match before facing Sri Lanka in the first Test on November 15.