HoldingTHERE MAY well be some moist cheeks and overwhelmed hearts come March 13 as the Caribbean rises to salute some of its most revered cricketing sons.
The 18 surviving superstars of the 1975 and 1979 West Indies teams, which won the first two ICC Cricket World Cups, are excited and pleased about being honoured in an on-field ceremony before the start of the opening 2007 tournament match at Sabina Park.
In fact, some of the ex-players are quite emotional about the joint decision by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and ICC Cricket World Cup West Indies 2007 Inc. to host them for the West Indies/Pakistan fixture.
Reacting to the news, ex-captain Clive Lloyd, who savoured the glory of lifting the coveted trophy twice, said: "I'm very elated that they've recognised what we've done and I'm sure all the (former) players are happy about this honour.
"Winning the first two Cricket World Cups and reaching three straight finals has left an indelible mark on our lives. Our cricket took off after the first victory in 1975.
We realised that we had the talent and discipline to excel internationally."
His cousin, Lance Gibbs, echoed similar sentiments, hailing it as "a great decision".
"The fellows who played previously, set this up - the chance for the West Indies to host the Cricket World Cup. We must give credit to our past cricketers," said the 72-year-old, the first spinner, reach 300 Test wickets.
Now residing in Miami, he is anticipating a wonderful reunion with former teammates and is 'delighted' to be attending the landmark occasion.
Sir Vivian Richards, the Man of the Match in the 1979 CWC final, is equally thrilled that he and his ex-colleagues will be honoured in front of their home fans.
"It's a wonderful tribute to the individuals who played and won the first Cricket World Cup and who repeated the feat four years later," Richards said.
"It's great for those of us who are still living to be part of the (Cricket) World Cup being staged in the region and to have these achievements of past players highlighted to those who weren't around at that time," said the man once regarded as the most savage batsman in the game.
Presentations will also be made later in the tournament to the families of three deceased players - Keith Boyce, Roy Fredericks and Malcolm Marshall - and to the family of the late Sir Clyde Walcott, the manager/coach of both teams.
1975 West Indies squad: Clive Lloyd (captain and Man of the Match), Gordon Greenidge, Rohan Kanhai, Alvin Kallicharran, Deryck Murray (wicketkeeper), Sir Vivian Richards, Andy Roberts, Collis King, Maurice Foster, Lance Gibbs, Vanburn Holder, Bernard Julien, Keith Boyce, Roy Fredericks, Sir Clyde Walcott - team manager and coach.
1979 West Indies squad: Clive Lloyd (captain), Gordon Greenidge, Alvin Kallicharran, Deryck Murray (wicketkeeper), Sir Vivian Richards (Man of the Match), Andy Roberts, Collis King, Faoud Bacchus, Colin Croft, Joel Garner, Michael Holding, Larry Gomes, Desmond Haynes, Malcolm Marshall, Sir Clyde Walcott - team manager and coach.
