Board's Commemorative Banquet in Kingston has been offered to Bermuda Cricket Board of Control president Ed Bailey.

But the biggest honour will come during the evening of September 18 at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel when Bailey is "recognised for his contribution to the development of West Indies cricket'' along with retired West Indies Test players.

Bailey said he was taken aback when the invitation, from new WICB president Patrick Rousseau, arrived at his office this week, and he immediately wrote back to the WICB confirming that he will be participating in the gala event.

The letter to Bailey read, in part: "The Board at its recent meeting took a decision to recognise your contribution to the development of West Indies cricket. We hope you will find it possible to attend and accept the award.'' The West Indies Cricket Board will fly Bailey and his wife to Kingston, put them up at a top hotel and provide them with ground transportation to and from Kingston airport.

"I'm extremely proud,'' Bailey said yesterday. "I wrote them back and told them I'm delighted and humbled that a Test playing country can think me worthy as a recipient of one of their awards, especially when I will be receiving this award on the same occasion as the Sir Gary Sobers, Seymour Nuses, Charlie Griffiths, Basil Butchers and Roy Fredericks.

"What has pleased me is the BCBC did not solicit this, it was done wholly and solely by the West Indies Board.'' Under Bailey's presidency, Bermuda cricket has forged stronger links with the West Indies, with many incoming and outgoing tours over the years.

Next month, a Leeward Islands team will visit Bermuda, to be followed by Bermuda's first participation in the Shell/Sandals Tournament in Guyana in October.

"It opens channels for a bright future for Bermuda's young cricketers,'' said Bailey, who also serves as chairman of the ICC's Rules Committee. "Of course I will receive this award not on behalf of Ed Bailey but Bermuda.'' Ed Bailey