The end of Shillingford's topsy-turvy tenure as WICB chief executive was confirmed in a brief statement posted on the board's web site and the board made it clear he was fired for non-performance.

"The Board's decision to terminate the services of the CEO followed consideration of a report on his performance conducted by its Review and Assessment Committee, a review of the evaluation process, and comments from each board member. The decision was unanimous."

The board said chief marketing executive Roger Brathwaite would act as CEO until a replacement is appointed. Insiders say Barbadian director Stephen Alleyne is the front-runner to land the job although some member boards voiced opposition to his candidacy.

Rumours of Shillingford's dismissal was swirling for many weeks but officials at the WICB's Antiguan headquarters were side-stepping queries.

Last week, CaribbeanCricket.com contacted Shillingford at his Antiguan home and he downplayed the rumours of his dismissal. "You seem to know more than I do," Shillingford said when the reports on his pending dismissal was related to him.

Despite denying knowledge of the WICB's attempts to get rid of him, sources close to Shillingford say he was expecting the axe. "They have been trying to sack him for more than a year now and he is aware of it. They even asked him to resign just two weeks ago when the CMC story broke but he (Shillingford) refused because he was under contract," the source said.

"There is a strong push from (WICB president) Wes Hall to give the job to Alleyne but he is not a very popular candidate," the insider said. CaribbeanCricket.com understands the Shillingford firing is just the first in Hall's planned house-cleaning moves.

The WICB's Review and Assessment Committee has already recommended the dismissals of both team manager Ricky Skerritt and coach Roger Harper.