Gordon steps in as World Cup boss

The president of the West Indies Cricket Board is to take personal charge of preparations for the 2007 World Cup.

Ken Gordon has taken over from Rawle Brancker as chairman of the tournament organising committee.

In a statement issued by the WICB, Gordon said he was happy with the arrangements already in place.

And he predicted they would "deliver the best World Cup ever", the first to be staged in the Caribbean.

Brancker resigned last weekend, citing differences with tournament managing director Chris Dehring and former WICB president Teddy Griffith, a member of the World Cup board.

"I have never liked or tried to do business on the battlefield," he was quoted as saying.

Dehring, however, has played down the significance of Brancker's departure after two years as chairman.

"My focus is on the Cricket World Cup and delivering this event," he commented.

"I have worked alongside the International Cricket Council, the Global Cricket Corporation, the West Indies Cricket Board, Caricom governments and every day I have that constant workload.

"I just have to focus on that workload. With 500 days to go I can't spend the day with peripheral issues."