Legendary captain Clive Lloyd has been replaced as West Indies chairman of selectors by former Test wicketkeeper Courtney Browne, a decision that has elicited a response of "Oh Lord" from ICC World T20 winning captain Darren Sammy.

Lloyd, currently in Barbados for the final stages of the ODI tri-series featuring Australia and South Africa, has held the role of selection chairman since August 2014.

The West Indies Cricket Board released a statement early on Friday morning (AEST) announcing the change, but did not clarify whether or not Lloyd had voluntarily stepped down from his position.

Sammy, who captained the Windies to World T20 glory in April, tweeted his response to the news.

Lloyd, who will officially hand over all selection duties to Browne on September 30, will instead take on the role of a "special Ambassador" of the WICB, which would make him "responsible for being a spokesperson for the Board at special events in and out of the region".

"The time as Chairman was quite rewarding and I am hoping my contribution would have added value to the current system," the 71-year-old said in the statement.

"I made every attempt to serve with distinction and I was pleased to contribute to the game again. I look forward to the new role. The details of that arrangement will be discussed and will be released shortly."

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Browne, who has been a member of the Windies selection panel for almost six years, played 20 Tests and 46 one-day internationals for the West Indies between 1995 and 2005. He made his Test debut against Australia in Kingston in 1995, a match the Aussies won to win the Frank Worrell Trophy for the first time in two decades.

Browne has been appointed for a two-year term and will take on the role immediately, working with Lloyd in a "handover" period before taking on the role solo in October.

Lloyd, who played 110 Tests and 87 ODIs in a 19-year career at this top level, this week celebrated the anniversaries of the West Indies' victories in the 1975 and 1979 World Cup finals.

"We are satisfied that Clive’s upcoming role will serve as another great opportunity to promote the best of West Indies Cricket," said WICB president Dave Cameron.