BRIDGETOWN, March 31 (Reuters) - The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) re-appointed Brian Lara on Monday as captain for the forthcoming home series against Australia and Sri Lanka.

Leading bastman Lara, who has landed the job more than three years after he gave it up, replaces Carl Hooper.

He will take charge for four tests and seven one-day internationals against World Cup winners Australia, starting on April 10.

Lara’s appointment follows a decision by WICB to make wholesale changes to the team following their exit from the World Cup earlier this month after the opening group stage. Lara scored a century in the first match of the World Cup against hosts South Africa.

The WICB also named Australian Cricket Academy head, Bennett King, as the new coach while Ricky Skerritt was retained as team manager, subject to completion of contractual negotiations.

Trinidadian Lara took charge of West Indies in 18 tests, winning six and losing 10, with the other two ending in draws.

In 1998, he was sacked as captain when a players’ revolt over pay delayed the start of a tour of South Africa but was reinstated four days later to end the impasse.

During Australia’s 1999 tour to the Caribbean, the left hander led by example, scoring a brilliant 213 in Kingston, which helped his side to share the series 2-2.

But he gave up the captaincy in 2000 after West Indies suffered an embarrassing whitewash on a tour to New Zealand.

At the time, Lara said "devastating failures that have engulfed West Indies cricket" was his reason for stepping down.

King, who replaced Roger Harper, is not expected to take charge of the side until later this year.

The board said Gus Logie would guide the team against the Australians in King’s absence.

West Indies host Sri Lanka in three one-dayers and a two-test series beginning on June 7.