Shivnarine Chanderpaul's resignation as captain less than three weeks before the start of a home series against Zimbabwe has created fresh turmoil.

And now the West Indies Cricket Board is searching for a successor who can command instant respect and help the team achieve the consistency they been lacking.

BBC Sport assesses the candidates identified by chief selector Joey Carew.

Pros: Current vice-captain and an established member of the batting line-up. Brave and combative and led West Indies to a 3-0 win over Bangladesh in a home one-day series in 2004.

Cons: Occasional indiscipline. Was involved in a face to face confrontation with Glenn McGrath in 2003 and partied in the stands with fans after a defeat by England in Jamaica the following year.

Pros: One of the true greats of the game who commands the respect of every West Indies player. Captained the team to victory in the 2004 Champions Trophy, their sole shining moment of recent years.

Cons: Now almost 37, the physical demands of the game are taking their toll. Apart from the Champions Trophy, his two previous spells as skipper were not a success, especially in Test cricket.

Pros: Like Sarwan, he is firmly established in the side in both forms of the game. Popular with his team-mates, he is also one of cricket's most destructive batsmen when on top of his game.

Cons: Naturally laid-back individual who might find it hard to impose discipline on his team-mates. Needs to focus on his batting after giving his wicket away too easily, too often, on winter tours to Australia and New Zealand.

Pros: A steadying influence; he has previous captaincy experience with the West Indies A side and has led Trinidad and Tobago from the front in the current Carib Beer Series competition by scoring over 500 runs.

Cons: Has been unable to hold down a regular place since his debut in 1998 and only averages in the mid 20s in both Test and one-day cricket.

Pros: Versatile performer who can bat anywhere in the top six and bowls his medium pacers effectively in one-day cricket. Has captained Jamaica and has some supporters in the West Indies media.

Cons: Has a better international record than Ganga, but an average in the low 30s does not do full justice to his ability. Jamaica performed poorly in the Carib Beer Series, failing to reach the semi-final stage.

Pros: Led West Indies to the final of the Under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh two years ago and has shown maturity beyond his years since his elevation to the senior side.

Cons: Captaining an international side at the age of 21 would be tough in any circumstances, and especially so with West Indies cricket at a low ebb. Wicket-keepers rarely make successful skippers.

Pros: Current West Indies A captain, he scored a century in both recent 'Tests' against England A and has also skippered the Leeward Islands at domestic level.

Cons: Has only made one half century for West Indies, although he has not had many opportunities so far, and some might question whether he is worth a place in the side.