INSIDE GRENADA DECEMBER 29, 2007 From WICB President and CEO West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) President the Honourable Dr. Julian R. Hunte and CEO Dr. Donald Peters have written to team manager Clive Lloyd congratulating the side on their historic win today in the first Test against South Africa. Below is the text of the letters: West Indies Cricket Board Inc. Office of the President Saturday, December 29, 2007 Mr. Clive Lloyd Manager West Indies Team Dear Clive Today's victory by our team is a magnificent Christmas gift to all West Indians everywhere. Even the most cynical of our supporters is overwhelmed. The entire Caribbean is celebrating a victory that is as comprehensive as it is welcome. Please convey the congratulations of the Board of Directors to Coach Dyson and his support staff, and to our Captain, Chris Gayle, and his entire squad. You have all done a fantastic job and have demonstrated to the world that West Indies Cricket is still a force in world cricket. In fact, by beating the second rated team in the world on their home turf, you have made the world sit up and take notice that we are once more back on the victory trail. After you and the team celebrate your well-deserved success, you would need to restore the focus that characterised this effort and to demonstrate that it was not a fluke or flash-in-the-pan but a resurgent West Indies team playing with renewed purpose and determination under new leadership and within an environment that is supportive. In this context, it is important not just to keep up the good work but to build on it. As you have rightly observed, winning is a habit and one that we need to develop and maintain. Your team has responded brilliantly to your request for "stickability" and must now add to it the word "sustainability". One battle has been won but the war is far from over. Having won the first by sticking to our task, we have to sustain the momentum. We cannot relax or revert to complacency. This is a historic victory for the West Indies and for West Indies cricket. If you follow it up by winning the Second Test Match and with it, the Series, it will be the best New Year's gift that you can present to the people of our region. Sincerely West Indies Cricket Board Inc . Mr. Clive Lloyd Manager, West Indies Team Dear Clive Today is a milestone in the history of West Indies Cricket and one we must not just recognize but also respect. A team with a new Coach and a new Captain, and with people who have been virtually written off by their own media and exemplars, has rebounded to beat the second ranked Test Team in the world and in doing so displayed considerable character, spirit, heart and soul. I had asked for the people of the Caribbean to show and to give our youthful cricketers some love. Now, these young men are reaping their just rewards for a stellar and spectacular performance. They are not only being showered with love but they are also being clothed in respect and adorned with admiration. The response to the pre-tour camp, the rebound after the first loss in Zimbabwe, the sense of teamwork and the high team-spirit were important indicators that this team was gelling into a unit that could be formidable. This has happened and it could only get better. There is a lot to do still, but today's victory proves that it can be done, that our young men realize that they can be masters of their own destiny and that the future of West Indies Cricket is in good hands. Please share my sentiments with the team. Let them know that the love is there and that they must use this victory as a springboard, as a launching pad, for further successes. The next Test will be an even bigger challenge, not just having to face a team whose pride has been wounded, but to prove to the critics that this was not a fluke. This was a victory built on togetherness and talent. It was a victory anchored in the resilience of our people and dedicated to their passion and pride. Like every other West Indies fan, here and in the diaspora, I am overwhelmed. As CEO, I could not want more from the people who are our flag-bearers and front-line troops. I thank you all for restoring the pride. Hopefully, you will also continue to maintain and sustain it. Sincerely (not signed as sent electronically) Dr. Donald Peters CEO