WICB Hails Kings

The Under-15 World Cup Costcutter kings returned to the Caribbean yesterday to a celebration befitting them.

All dapper in their official West Indies maroon blazer and grey pants, the smiling players were greeted by officials of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) on the Grantley Adams International Airport tarmac.

The official welcoming party moved to the Club Caribbean Lounge where the youngsters received more praise.

BCA president Stephen Alleyne reminded the squad of the magnitude of their achievement. They entered the tourney as underdogs, but upset South Africa in the semifinal and then dismissed Pakistan by two wickets in the final.

"It is no small feat to be world champions; and when a team involved hails from the English Caribbean, comprising just seven million souls, the achievement is magnified several times over," he said.

"Preparation, planning, discipline, skilled execution and a steady hand under fire (because most of our matches were extremely close ones) - whatever the combination of attributes - you are the toast of the Caribbean today," he said.

"My wish for you will be that, as you replay these magical moments in your minds, let them serve not as symbols of a race well-ran, but that they add a thirst to even greater achievement. A thirst to repeat the feat, but next time in senior West Indian colours.

"We are proud of you. Whatever part you played, never forget that whether you were Man-Of-The-Match in the final or played a supporting role, you were part of the very best team in the world."

He also asked the players to recognise their responsibility to themselves and their country by making their experiences beneficial.

Andrew Sealy, executive secretary of the WICB, saw the team's achievement in a metaphor.

"The sun came out in Britain and so to did the shining of the West Indies. We of the WICB are certainly extremely proud of you," he said.

He said coach Gus Logie had worked a miracle with the team, since heavy rainfall in Trinidad affected their preparation.

Using the biblical prophecy that a child should lead, he urged the senior West Indies players to follow the example of Under-15s "and all will be well".

In his feature address, director of the National Sports Council Erskine King, also told the players that much will be expected of them.

"We in the region now place a great burden on all of you Under-15 cricketers. There is a difficulty that we lose many of our cricketers between the ages of 15 and 17. You have a responsibility to yourself and to the region to continue and to make the Caribbean proud, not only at the Under-17 and Under-19 level but at the senior level as well."

King reminded them of the trauma the Caribbean suffered when the senior team was doing badly and noted that their success offered a glimmer of hope.

The WICB's director of coaching, Reg Scarlett, then presented the world champions with certificates of achievement.