WIPA President hails Historic Jamaica Five-Peat

CRICINFO Photo: Jamaica Team

ZIZ Sports News…April 18 2012 — West Indies Players Association President Wavell Hinds has hailed Jamaica’s fifth consecutive domestic first class competition victory as an historic occasion. The moment was also special for Hinds, a former West Indies batsman, since he had played in each of the four preceding winning seasons.

“Having been a part of the team for the four previous seasons, I would like to offer special congratulations to the Jamaican team for achieving their fifth straight title. They have moved past the previous regional record of Barbados’ four consecutive outright titles from 1976-77 to 1979-80. Hat’s off to the players and the team management for this feat. I would also like to congratulate the Barbadian team for getting to the final and playing tough cricket to challenge Jamaica.”

Hinds also had special praise for Jamaica Captain Tamar Lambert who has led the side in each of the five consecutive winning seasons. “Tamar has been an exceptional leader who has commanded the players brilliantly over the past five years. He is a master tactician who plans for the team to achieve the objective of winning the competition each year. His leadership, along with his humility and hard work provides an excellent example to young cricketers throughout the region.”

Jamaica’s achievement puts them behind only Mumbai (15 consecutive titles), New South Wales (9 consecutive titles) Surrey (7 consecutive titles), and Mashonaland (6 consecutive titles) in the category of most consecutive domestic first-class competition victories. “I encourage Jamaica to continue to push up this historic ladder, and encourage the other teams to work even harder to try and topple them next year,” Hinds said.