Amid extraordinary scenes of unbridled joy and heartfelt emotion, Bermuda?s national cricket team yesterday secured a place at the World Cup in 2007 ? perhaps the most spectacular achievement in the Island?s long sporting history.

Needing victory over the United States in the final group stage of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Trophy in Ireland to be sure of a place in the West Indies in two years time, the Bermuda team rose to the occasion by annihilating the hapless Americans by a margin of 113 runs.

The win meant Bermuda was through to the semi-finals by finishing second in group A, having lost to hosts Ireland but overcoming spirited challenges from the United Arab Emirates, Denmark and finally the USA.

This unprecedented and tear-inducing triumph marks the first time Bermuda has ever made it to cricket?s ultimate extravaganza ? following years of painful near-misses and depressing underachievement.

With qualification guaranteed and one eye squarely on the coveted trophy, the team now moves south in exuberant spirits to Dublin, where high-flying Scotland lie in wait.

A place at the World Cup will also provide a welcome and significant financial boost to the perennially cash-strapped Bermuda Cricket Board, with the ICC pledging an additional $500,000 investment in local cricket over the next two years.

Commenting on the colossal achievement at Waringstown Cricket Club near Belfast afterwards, an elated Bermuda captain Clay Smith struggled to find the words to express his feelings.

?A lot of us have wanted this all our lives,? he wept.

?It?s just too emotional, unbelievable, totally unbelievable. I never dreamt we could do it.?

While all 14 members of the national squad are heroes in their own right, the man credited with forging this assortment of differing personalities into a successful and harmonious unit is the former West Indian Test cricketer and new national coach Gus Logie.

While other coaches have failed at such a task in the past, the players are the first to admit that Mr. Logie has been the glue which has held them all so tightly together.

?Team spirit is definitely as good as I?ve ever seen it, thanks to Logie,? said veteran wicketkeeper Dean Minors.

?We bought into his philosophy [of togetherness and went from strength to strength. What he instilled in us was team discipline.?

Government officials were also quick to lavish praise on the team, while promising to do everything possible to ensure the players are adequately funded and supported in the months and years ahead.

?They have turned their dream into a reality,? said Premier Alex Scott.

?The significance of this accomplishment will reverberate around the cricketing world, that little Bermuda is about to confront the giants of cricket. And to that, I say well done.?

Sports Minister Dale Butler was equally impressed.

?I?m extremely delighted,? he enthused.

?I?m very happy with the team?s success. Remember my farewell speech at City Hall? I told them that they were not going over there to participate but to qualify for the World Cup and my prophecy came true. Based on the team?s talent, commitment and training I felt they stood a very good chance ? and here they are!?