“Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012 will go down in history as one of the great days in West Indies cricket.”
That was the view of West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) President, Dr. Julian Hunte, who showered the regional team with praises, following their “sensational performance,” which saw them beat host Sri Lanka by 36 runs at the Premadasa Stadium in Sri Lanka to win the ICC Twenty20 World Cup for the first time.
In the final, West Indies posted 137 for six in 20 overs and dismissed the home team for 101 in 18.4 overs.
The ICC World Cup is the fourth major international title for the West Indies.
Clive Lloyd’s all-conquering team won the inaugural Cricket World Cup in l975 and repeated in l979.
Brian Lara’s team won the ICC Champions Trophy in England in 2004.
West Indies is the only team to win the 50-over World Cup Trophy and the World Twenty20.
“Huge congratulations to captain Darren Sammy and the players and head coach Ottis Gibson, team manager Richie Richardson and the support staff,” Hunte said in a WICB statement recently.
He hailed the victory as a gift to West Indies supporters all over the world.
“This was an outstanding display of tenacity, fight, courage, will power and belief. To come to Sri Lanka and beat them on their home turf in the grand final, when all was on the line, is truly remarkable.
“The entire region was behind this team as they left home to compete, to participate in this high-profile tournament.
“West Indies cricket has a rich history and we are proud of what those who have played before have done for us and what they have achieved. Now in this era, we have a new group of champions who have given their all and made us proud. Today, we salute our champions,” Hunte said.
