Camel Cup Match MVP at a special ceremony at Fort Hamilton.

A delighted Minors stepped forward and wrapped his safe hands around the gleaming silver trophy to the applause of a bevy of players, officials and onlookers from both Somerset and St. George's.

Minors earned the award after a thunderous knock of 83 that included 10 sixes -- four of which came in one memorable over from Somerset's Richard Basden - and three fours in helping his side to a massive first innings total of 398 for eight.

Lasting just 63 minutes and taking in a mere 39 balls, his innings will certainly be remembered as one of the most exciting in modern history.

"This is beyond my dreams ... all I can say is that I'm extremely happy,'' said a glowing Minors in his acceptance speech. "I knew I was in contention, but you never know what could happen until after the selection.

"I rate the innings as being one of my best. My captain wanted me to go ahead and do a job and I felt that I got the job done, so looking at my innings I just did what the captain asked me to do.

"I think the biggest thing is that I hear of other players like the Michael Jordans and the Vivian Richards and it's true when they say you get into a zone and you can't get out of it.

"So anything that's basically happening around you, you can't hear. You can't focus in on the crowd or anything.

"For a period of time out there I couldn't hear anyone, because I was in this zone and I couldn't get out of it ... and didn't want to get out of it.'' Not to be lost amongst the fireworks exhibited while at the crease was the stocky 'keeper's fine work behind the stumps which included a smart catch standing up to the stumps to dismiss Ricky Hill and give colt Lionel Cann his first wicket in the match.

Throughout the two days he could be seen bounding about with seemingly endless energy displaying a style, grace and a flashiness that only added to the glamour of Bermuda's premier summer spectacle.

Minors' noted that wicket-keepers are sometimes disregarded as batsmen and hoped that his first half century in the classic -- would go some way toward dismissing that notion.

"It was a big relief (to finally register a significant total),'' Minors intimated. "One of the things that I feel deep down inside over the years is that looking at wicket-keepers we don't get as much respect as we should, and that was one of the things I wanted to go ahead and do to show them that wicket-keepers can do a job also ... we can be recognized batsmen.'' "I also think (playing cricket and keeping wicket) it's just like anything in life, you have to just enjoy it ... if you're not enjoying it then your not happy.

"And if you have players that surround you, you can put energy into them and they can put energy back into you, but if you really look at wicket-keepers ... they are all drum beaters in a team.

"You have to be lively ... if we're lively then the rest of the team is lively also. That's one of the things I found out is in my job description and it suits me in that my personality is the same ... just happy.'' Of the other notable performances in this year's match Minors, now fully recovered from a serious knee injury that once threatened his athletic career, singled out Jeff Richardson of Somerset as well as teammates Lionel Cann and David Adams.

But he left most credit for his parents as well as his team.

"Two people I would especially like to thank are my parents who were behind me for both days and motivated me to go this far in cricket and in life.

"As for my team ... we play some good cricket and the guys I play with in St.

George's are special guys and without them I wouldn't win this award.

And the next goal: "I think St. George's's winning the league title would basically tip my season off and winning the Budweiser.'' Finally he sent out words of advice out to the youth looking to break through the ranks: "I make a statement for myself and also for other young players coming through in that if you want it ... just go ahead and take it.'' Western Stars will be holding a meeting for all those interested in touring with the club tonight at 6.30.

DEAN MINORS -- Receiving his award from Winter Cookson representative Junior Dunstan last night.