Muirhead Opens Reign As WICB CEO With High Praise For T20 Winners

Muirhead Opens Reign As WICB CEO With High Praise For T20 Winners

West Indies Cricket Board Michael Muirhead has praised the work of Darren Sammy and his team in Sri Lanka

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New West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Chief Executive Michael Muirhead has paid tribute to the team's achievement in winning the ICC World Twenty20 2012 in Sri Lanka.

Darren Sammy led his side to a convincing 36-run success over the hosts in the final while the Women also earned praise for reaching the semi-finals of their event, losing out to eventual winners Australia.

"I wish to congratulate Captain Darren Sammy, Head Coach Ottis Gibson and Team Manager Richie Richardson along with all the players and members of the Team Management on their historic triumph which has brought joy, pride and boundless excitement to the people of the Caribbean," Muirhead said on the occasion of his first day in the job.

"The victory in the final was a thrilling one but it was achieved, clearly, on the back of rigorous preparation, astute planning and sustained and consistent performances when it mattered most.

"I am honoured to be entering West Indies cricket at a time when the region is enthused about the game and the prospects. I am thankful to the team and the WICB Board and Management which have all worked on ensuring that the fundamentals for this triumph were in place, even if ahead of the projected strategic target," he added, referring to the five-year strategic plan which outlined success at the 2014 event as a major goal.

The Women repeated the performance of 2010 when they also made the semi-finals but this time they did at away from home, an achievement which Muirhead praised, noting the progress they are making.

"I wish to also commend Captain Merissa Aguilleira and her team, Head Coach Sherwin Campbell and the members of the Team Management of the West Indies Women’s Team for their representation of the West Indies region in the Women’s World Twenty20," he said.

"While our Women’s team did not win the title, it is clear to all that they have made significant advancement in recent years and continue stridently on the development path.

"In fact the Windies Women achieved one of the stated WICB key strategic objectives – to finish in the top four of each of the Cricket World Cups and World Twenty20s held between 2011 and 2016.

"The WICB has also set out as a key target for the Women’s team to win one of these tournaments by 2016 and we will continue to support them with training and resources toward this goal as they prepare for the next global engagement – the Women’s World Cup next year."

© Cricket World 2012