St John’s Antigua – President of the West Indies Cricket Board Dr Julian Hunte is extremely pleased with the recent excellent showing by the West Indies team as they won both the Test and One-Day Series against Bangladesh.
Dr Hunte praised the team for their 2-1 win in the ODIs and the 1-0 triumph in the two-match Test rubber. The Windies ended the Test Series on Wednesday with a massive 229-run win. Dr Hunte also lauded several young players who he said "stepped forward manfully" to make "sterling contributions" to the side’s successful overseas trip.
"On behalf of the West Indies Cricket Board, the people of the Caribbean and all supporters of West Indies cricket I want to congratulate the team on a fantastic tour of Bangladesh over the last month. From the outset it was clear the team was focussed on what was required and went about their business with purpose and determination. The wins, the individual milestones of players, and the team’s overall triumph brought smiles to the faces of all West Indies supporters."
Dr Hunte added: "As West Indians we enjoyed the excellent performances. It is never easy to play away from home and it was a long time since we last won a Test match and a Series away from home. It was extremely pleasing to see the players demonstrating the tenacity and the resolve to outplay the home side and win convincingly.
"What was worthy of note was the number of young players who stepped forward manfully with some sterling contributions. I also want to commend the team for the effort in the field – not conceding a single extra in the Bangladesh first innings of the second Test match – called for great discipline. It is clear that the development path being undertaken by the WICB is bearing fruit."
The Test Series win was the Windies’ first away from home since 2003 in Zimbabwe and the first away Test match win since the victory over South Africa at Port Elizabeth in December, 2007.
The outstanding player during the series was middle-order batsman Kirk Edwards. In just his third Test he made 121 in the first innings and 86 in the second innings of the second match to take the Man-of-the-Match award.
Leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo, who made his Test debut six months ago, was the leading wicket-taker in the series with 11 scalps – including a career-best, match-winning performance of 5-90 in the Dhaka. The 22-year-old Darren Bravo made his maiden international century in the second innings of the second Test and converted it into a memorable 195.
In the ODIs, opening batsman Lendl Simmons also made his maiden international century and took the Man-of-the-Series award with 202 runs in two innings.
From Bangladesh, West Indies flew directly to India, where they will play three Tests in Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai and five One-Day Internationals against the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup champions.
Speaking directly to the team, Dr Hunte urged: "It is clear to everyone watching that as a team you are growing with confidence, learning with every match, and demonstrating great self-belief. As you prepare to face India I want to encourage you to be bold and positive.
"The stated goal of the team is to be in the Top 5 of the ICC rankings by 2013 and the next six weeks will present an opportunity to take steps in that direction. The entire Caribbean will be supporting as we continue to ‘rally round the West Indies’."