Bridgetown (Barbados), May 18 (IANS) International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive Haroon Lorgat praised the West Indies for the staging of a highly successful and memorable World Twenty20.

"I think everyone would agree that the best teams in the men’s and women’s ICC World Twenty20s reached the finals. Congratulations go to Paul Collingwood’s England and Alex Blackwell’s Australia. They are deserved winners of an exceptional event," said Lorgat.

"A lot of praise for the operational success of the tournament must go to the West Indies Cricket Board, the ICC World Twenty20 2010 organising committee and the ICC staff who delivered an outstanding event which will long be remembered. For me this was a truly memorable event which showcased the unique culture and passion for cricket in the Caribbean.

"We recognised the need to involve all the local people and we were thrilled by their turnout and enthusiastic support. I think everyone will agree that their colourful participation contributed much to the success of the tournament. We invited the Caribbean people to ‘Bring It’ and they certainly did just that. The ICC is grateful to all those who attended the matches and the hundreds of millions who watched on television," he added.

Lorgat also said that ICC was grateful to broadcast and commercial partners, match officials, the many volunteers in Guyana, Barbados, St. Lucia and St. Kitts.