West Indies opener Chris Gayle (left) presents an autographed bat to Merton McCarthy, who was voted the Best Batsman at the Digicel Cricket Coaching Clinic in Barbados at the 3Ws Oval, Cave Hill, University of the West Indies, during the awards ceremony on Sunday. Looking on is West Indies skipper Ramaresh Sarwan (centre), who assisted in coaching the youngsters at the clinic. - Contributed

CAVE HILL, Barbados:

It was all about cricket and having fun while learning the basics of the game, but one young Barbadian boy brought an emotional end to the first Digicel Cricket Coaching Clinic at the 3Ws Oval, University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, on Sunday afternoon.

John Williams, a 12-year-old fast bowler, wrote a special and moving message to the West Indies players and coaches, thanking them for their guidance and effort.

"This training means the world to me. Thank you very much for taking time out to make me a better bowler. Some day I hope to become a part of the West Indies cricket team like you," Williams wrote in cards to the players, West Indies captain Ramnaresh Sarwan, Chris Gayle and Denesh Ramdin, who assisted coaches Kenny Benjamin and Keith Arthurton in conducting the two day clinic.

Four of Williams' colleagues emerged as the top players during the two-day clinic put on by official West Indies team sponsor Digicel. The best batsman award was won by 14-year-old right-handed batsman Merton McCarthy, who won himself a cricket bat.

Also winning bats were best bowler Matthew Greaves, a 12-year-old right arm fast bowler and best fielder, 14-year-old Craig St. Hill. Another 12-year-old, Carlos Maynard, was adjudged the best wicketkeeper and collected a pair of wicketkeeping pads.

All the cricket gears were autographed by Sarwan, Gayle, Ramdin, Benjamin, Arthurton and legendary former off spinner Lance Gibbs, who also assisted with coaching.

During short remarks at the presentation ceremony Sarwan, the West Indies captain, reminded the young cricketers that he started along his career path when he was their age and encouraged them to work hard at their game in order to improve.

Each of the participants received a special gift pack for successfully completing the clinic. The pack included Digicel branded bag, t-shirt and cap. Each of the youngstersalso received an autographed photograph of all the participants which was taken at the start of the camp. Sarwan, Gayle, Ramdin, Gibbs, Benjamin and Arthurton also personally autographed each photograph.

These prizes and gift packages will continue at all the Digicel Cricket Coaching Clinics across the Caribbean with the next being from July 26 to 28 in Trinidad. Ramdin and fast bowler Ravi Rampaul will participate in that clinic alongside Gibbs and coaches Benjamin and Arthurton and other local coaches. Clinics in Jamaica, Guyana, St. Vincent and Antigua are to follow.