Jimmy Adams has been appointed as the West Indies’ new director of cricket on a three-year contract.

The 49-year-old, who played 54 Tests and 127 one-day internationals for the Windies, left his position as Kent head coach last October after five seasons in charge of the county.

Adams, who takes up his new position with immediate effect, said: “I am very excited to be directly involved in Caribbean cricket once again, and I look forward to working with all those committed to moving the game forward in the West Indies.”

Outgoing director of cricket Richard Pybus, who was part of the selection panel, added: “I look forward to Jimmy bringing the breadth of his international experience and knowledge of cricket in the Caribbean to continue the work of rebuilding West Indies Cricket.

“It is an exciting time for cricket in the region, with the momentum of the World Cup success and the professional cricket structures beginning to produce players capable of competing and excelling at international level.”