Carib Beer Cricket success a continuation

"The defeat that they suffered in the (President’s Cup, now called KFC Cup) in 2005 had the effect of strengthening their resolve for 2006 and it was good to see them coming together as a unit under Daren Ganga’s efficient captaincy to be victorious against Barbados, often regarded as a powerhouse in the Caribbean, in the finals of the four day competition," he added.

Lewis agreed with former TT captain and present West Indies chairman of selectors Joey Carew who commented that "if we continue to work hard we could become a dominant force in West Indies Cricket."

He congratulated "all those who contributed to the success of the team — captain, manager, coach, selectors, trainer — in one way or the other and said that the victory should serve as an inspiration to younger cricketers aspiring to ascend the region’s cricketing ladder."

He noted: "Daren displayed all the attributes of a good leader and no doubt would be in serious contention for greater responsinbilities on the West Indies team once he cements his place on the side."

He said: "(Brian) Lara and (Mervyn) Dillon’s inclusion on the TT team would have been of great assistance in achieving success."

Of Dillon’s performance in particular he was "perhaps motivated by his exclusion from the TT team in earlier games and this might have fired him up to perform as outstandingly as he did."

Lewis again congratulated the team and said that their convincing display could be considered as a gift to the country in this festive season when the entire country is in a celebratory mood.