St. John's (Antigua), Sep 22 (IANS/CMC): The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has approved an increase in the number of male players who are to receive annual retainer contracts (ARC).

The WICB says an additional five players will receive contracts increasing the number from 15 to 20 for the period 2012 to 2013, CMC reports.

The WICB approved the list of players during last weekend's board meeting in Barbados.

However, a statement issued Friday said the list will be announced once the players have been advised and offered the ARCs.

Meantime, Clyde Butts, Robert Haynes and Courtney Browne have been retained as the selection panel of the WICB for another two year term.

Butts, the former Guyana and West Indies spinner will continue to chair the panel in which Stuart Williams and Lockhart Sebastien will serve as alternates.

Also, six umpires have been promoted to the WICB Senior Umpire's Panel following recommendations from the Umpires and Match referees Committee.

They are Zahid Bassarath, Patrick Gustard, Leslie Reifer Jr, Danesh Ramdhanie, Nandkumar Shivsankar and Verdayne Smith.