Yesterday, it announced that it would be shortly setting up mechanisms to handle industrial relations issues that may arise between the board and the West Indies Players Association.

According to Pat Rousseau, president of the WICB, it will appoint an industrial relations consulting firm which would provide training for staff and also give advice on how the WICB can avoid repetition of the South African tour impasse.

Rousseau said the firm will also advise the board on crisis management and make recomendations for both players and board members.

Regarding the incorporation of the board, the WICB said it was hoping to do so by January 1, 1999 when the formalities will be conducted in the British Virgin Islands.

This disclosure was made at a news conference here yesterday following the board's two-day general meeting, at which the controversy surrounding the players' revolt over pay and conditions for the current tour of South Africa, was discussed.

The West Indies players, led by captain Brian Lara and his deputy Carl Hooper, who were both sacked and then reinstated by the regional cricket body, staged a protest in London by not travelling directly to South Africa for the start of the tour as originally scheduled.

The dispute was only settled on Monday following marathon talks in London with Rousseau flying out from the Caribbean to meet with the players after initially declining to do so.

He said the board will also be advised on disputes and disciplinary settlements to ensure ``fairness, clarity, expedition and effectiveness'' as well as a fair system of appraisal for players and WICB staff.

The board also accepted the resignation of vice-president Julian Hunte, who is now St Lucia's ambassador to the United Nations and said the appointment of a new vice-president will be made at the next board meeting in the new year.