Wendell White is the new man in charge of the Western Counties Cricket Association.

Following the decision by former president Keith Wainwright to stand down,

White, a flamboyant all-rounder at Somerset Cricket Club, successfully ran unopposed for the vacated post during the association's annual general meeting, held on Thursday night at the Pembroke Hamilton Club.

Wainwright had served as president for the past three years.

Others also coming onboard to form an entirely new administration were Somerset Bridge executive Lorain Gomes as vice president, PHC official John Nusum as treasurer, Shane Simmons as secretary and Sandra Bean - also of PHC - as assistant secretary.

Outgoing were Tom Wainwright (treasurer), Sharon Virgil (assistant secretary and treasurer), Cindy Anderson (secretary) and Perry Maybury (vice-president).

White said that although he had intentions of taking on an administrative post, he never envisioned that he would go straight to the top.

"I was lost for words and kind of surprised" he admitted yesterday. "I always wanted to be on the committee because I always wanted to help with cricket in Bermuda. This is a good opportunity for me to at least show the people in Bermuda what I can do to promote the sport.

"This challenge will now provide me with an opportunity to share my experiences in cricket and to try and restore the Western Counties back to where it was several years ago," added the four year Somerset Cup Match veteran. "So given the job I promise that I will put my best foot forward and do the best that I possibly can."

White is a native of Barbados and has also represented Bermuda at senior national level. He also represents Willow Cuts in the annual Western Counties classic.

Meanwhile, the draw for this year's competition was also held during Thursday's AGM and is as follows:

First Round, July 5: Champions Somerset Bridge v Willow Cuts.

Second Round, July 12: Winners of Somerset Bridge/Willow Cuts v Southampton Rangers.

Third Round, August 9: Winners v PHC.

Final, August 23: Winners v Warwick Workmen's Club.

All matches will be held at White Hill Field and are 50 over contests.

A slight alteration was made to the Junior Western Counties schedule which will now see all matches played on Friday afternoons instead of the traditional Saturdays.

The schedule is as follows:

First Round, July 18: Champions Southampton Rangers v Somerset Bridge

Second Round, August 15: Winners of Rangers/Bridge v Willow Cuts

Final, August 29: Winners v Warwick Workmen's Club.

All matches will be held at White Hill Field and are 30 over contests to begin at 4 p.m.

"We have decided to have the juniors play on Fridays because we want to encourage more fans to come out and see the youngsters play. And I sincerely believe that more parents will be able to come out and support their kids on Fridays," added White, who will unveil some of the new administration's objectives at next Thursday night's meeting at Pembroke Hamilton Club beginning at 6.30 p.m. All affiliates are asked to attend.