President of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Julian Hunte has described 2012 as “a watershed year in West Indies cricket.”
Noting that there were a number of historic events in the year, Hunte said that West Indies cricket is better position for the rest of the decade on many fronts.
“Most significantly is that the West Indies team won the ICC World Twenty20 Tournament and are world champions again after a period of drought,’ Hunted noted.
“We must recognize and hail the efforts of Darren Sammy and Ottis Gibson, along with team manager Richie Richardson and the senior players in particular,” he said.
Hunte added: “Shivnarine Chanderpaul continues to be an outstanding performer in Tests, once again attaining the top ranking as a Test batsman.
“Chris Gayle, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Marlon Samuels and Dwayne Bravo are some of the finest and most entertaining players in the shorter formats in particular, and they are foremost cricket ambassadors when in West Indies colors and when they are in other colors flying the West Indian flag in the various leagues around the world.”
Turning his attention to off-the-field, Hunte praised the partnerships agreements the WICB was able to secure and finalize.
“We also saw the launch of the Caribbean Premier League, which will come on stream in 2013 and we were able to secure a major television rights deal with TAJ TV, which will ensure the financial viability if West Indies cricket for this decade,” he said.
