A homecoming has never been so sweet for any Bermuda cricket team ? and yesterday it got $100,000 sweeter.

Amid accolades and eloquent superlatives from the country?s officialdom and an outpouring of emotion and gratitude from fellow citizens, it was the sight of Government putting their money where their mouth is that really made the Island?s cricketers sit up.

The surprise presentation of a $100,000 cheque by Premier Alex Scott to Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) president Reggie Pearman at City Hall yesterday drew loud applause and cheers from the crowd and cricketers as the Island paused to salute the squad which earned a place in the 2007 Cricket World Cup.

?It?s just a small token of what we think of them...100,000 ways of saying well done,? declared Scott, adding ?this will help start the journey to prepare you beat the rest of the world?.

A grateful Pearman thanked Government for their ?generous donation? towards 2007 before paying tribute to trailblazers like the late Alma (Champ) Hunt who first pushed to get the Island into the International Cricket Council (ICC) family and then for the establishment of a tournament for Associate members.

Now that this giant stride has been accomplished, he promised that, come the 2007 World Cup, ?they will know we?ve been there?.

Later, at a luncheon at La Coquille in the team?s honour, Pearman again mentioned Government?s monetary gesture and exhibited a bit of humour.

?Some of the players have already worked out their share but their maths is not as good as mine and Neil?s,? he quipped, alluding to accountant and BCB chief executive Neil Speight.

Captain Clay Smith, other players and team management began their celebrations with a courtesy call on Scott at the Cabinet Office before proceeding by motorcade to City Hall for a brief ceremony.

Midday traffic on a usually jam-packed Church Street came to a standstill as hundreds poured onto the grounds of the Hamilton landmark or lined the sidewalks to take in the spectacle, some waving flags or their autographed souvenir team posters.

?Isn?t it nice to win? Isn?t it nice to have our own cricket team beating up on the rest of the world?? declared Premier Scott rhetorically.

Hailing the cricketers as ?role models?, he pointed to the Mini Cup Match players in attendance and said: ?They don?t want to be a Premier. They want to be a cricketer. They don?t want to be Dale Butler ? they want to be Clay Smith.

?These young men are examples of what we can be and I am so very proud.?

The team?s most robust supporter Sports Minister Dale Butler also delivered a stirring speech, stating Bermuda had sent a team strong in all areas to the ICC Trophy in Ireland.

?We thought we were sending Jonah to the whale...and now, with this victory...(they have) come back ready for 2007!?

Referring to s Wednesday article which said Bermuda?s World Cup initiation will be a serious baptism by fire as they face England in their first warm-up game, he countered: ?But our players are bringing buckets of water to put that fire out!?

He challenged the nation to uphold and encourage the team and put aside negative comments and bickering.

Skipper Smith lauded Government and country for their support and saluted his players? diligent training. He specially thanked his deputy Janeiro Tucker who guided the team to three victories, with the captain sidelined by injury as well as coach Gus Logie.

Beaming with pride, players Ryan Steede and Irving Romaine were almost speechless as they absorbed all that was unfolding around them.

?I?m really happy. There?s so much to take in. The receptions, here and at the airport, have been lovely. We?ve been on a high. I still can?t believe how many people were at the airport. It nearly brought tears to my eyes, I kid you not.

?This has been a great experience. Something I?ll never forget as long as I live,? said 29-year-old fast bowler Steede.

Top batsman Romaine termed it ?a good feeling to be appreciated for what we have done?.

?I didn?t expect all this hoopla but it?s really nice,? noted the 32-year-old.