Windies World Cup legends to be felicitated

Kingston, Jamaica, Feb 23 (UNI) The 18 surviving legends of the West Indies teams which won the 1975 and 1979 World Cup will be honoured in an on-field ceremony before the opening match of next month's extravaganza on March 13 at Sabina Park here.

The greats are excited and pleased about the joint decision by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and ICC Cricket World Cup West Indies 2007 Inc.

Reacting to the news, ex-captain Clive Lloyd, who lifted the coveted trophy twice, said, ''I am 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,'' he added.

His cousin and another legend Lance Gibbs echoed similar sentiments and hailed the proposed felicitation 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,'' he said.

Sir Vivian Richards, who won the Man-of-the-Match in the 1979 World Cup final, said he was 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. 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,'' he said.

Desmond Haynes, meanwhile, said the honour has been perfectly timed.

''I believe we deserve (having) the Cricket World Cup (in the Caribbean) and it ties back in with the teams that played in 1975 and 1979. The West Indies brought so much joy to the cricketing world with the way we played cricket back then,'' the former opener said.

Larry Gomes -- among the World Cup heroes invited to the Sabina Park celebration -- said, ''It's great to come home for this occasion, especially with the Caribbean hosting the tournament for the first time. It will be nice to catch up with my former team-mates and see all the new facilities. I can't wait. It will be a wonderful day.'' Presentations will also be made 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.

UNI