ICC America?s Region Development manager Martin Vieira applauded the likes of Argentina and Cayman Island for their fine efforts during this year?s Americas Championships in Toronto.

Cayman Islands pulled off the tournament?s biggest upset by defeating defending champions Canada convincingly, while the Argentines provided indication they are fast catching up with the region?s perennial heavyweights.

Vieira was speaking during Saturday night?s presentation ceremony held at the Hampton Inn, where Bermuda were presented with the coveted Americas trophy and several individual awards handed out to those who excelled during the tournament.

USA skipper Steve Massiah received the tournament?s MVP Award and an additional prize for scoring the most runs (283).

Cayman Islands bowler Ronald Ebanks received an award for claiming the most wickets (ten).

Bermuda?s Stephen Outerbridge was chosen as the tournament?s best fielder, while skipper Irving Romaine, Lionel Cann and Outerbridge each received separate prizes (cash and a watch) for being chosen as men-of-the-match against Canada, Argentina and Cayman Islands.

Vieira said: ?We are working on very limited resources and that is why it is vital to us that we see improvement at these tournaments such as the win by the Cayman Islands against Canada.

?Some might say Canada had some of their regulars missing. . . but the victory was convincing enough to note the Cayman Islands are now a much improved team than what they previously were.

?And as far as we are concerned those are the pleasurable things that we see . .. . the actual increase in the standards of Argentina and Cayman Islands. We expect big things from the big three (USA, Canada and Bermuda), but with Argentina and Cayman Islands playing the way they did this past week, they have been a great joy to watch.

?So congratulations to all five of you, but especially those who have shown some great improvement in their development.?

Vieira also thanked the players themselves, and wished World Cup-bound Canada and Bermuda best of luck in next spring?s cricket spectacle in the West Indies.

?Canada and Bermuda must focus every ounce of energy they have on doing well in the World Cup because all eyes will be on you,? he said.

?And you are not only going to be representing your country, but also the region itself and also yourselves individually.

?And we would like to wish all of the coaching and management staff of Canada and Bermuda much success in the World Cup.?

Last but not least, Vieira also praised executives and groundstaff at the Maple Leaf CC at King City for providing ?first class wickets? for the week-long tournament, and scorers for providing an essential service to the sport.