The jailing of three Pakistani stars — including a former captain — for bowling pre-arranged no balls in order to line their pockets has obviously cast a pall over cricket.

But even that won't dampen the quiet satisfaction felt by Caribbean fans following a rare overseas Test series victory for the West Indies.

Many will scoff at triumph over lowly Bangladesh.

But such has been the state of regional cricket over recent years that success in the just-ended two-Test series and in the earlier One-Day International series was never taken for granted.

Indeed there were collective groans of "here we go again!" when Bangladesh claimed a narrow victory in the tour's opening International — a Twenty-20 contest — and also dismissed West Indies for 61 to win by eight wickets in the last of three One-Day Internationals.

For those who follow cricket closely, the regional team's performance in Bangladesh was significant partly because it followed a reasonably good showing in the Caribbean a few months ago.

Cricket followers will recall that the young team led by the constantly scrutinised Mr Darren Sammy drew 1-1 with Pakistan and then pushed an admittedly under-strength India all the way, in losing a three-Test series 0-1.

Another aspect worth contemplating is that several young players showed encouraging form in Bangladesh. After scoring a century in his debut Test against India in mid-year, the level-headed Barbadian Mr Kirk Edwards scored his second century in three Tests — a disciplined 121 in the first innings of the second Test in Dhaka. He was within sight of a third century when he was dismissed in the second innings.

In three Tests, Mr Edwards has scored 368 runs with two centuries for an average of 73.60. It's early days yet, and we would hate to put on the proverbial 'goat mouth', but the undeniable truth is that in any era of cricket, the start to Mr Edwards' Test career would have been considered extraordinary.

Happily, the highly talented Mr Darren Bravo drove the metaphoric monkey from his back by scoring his first century in 10 Tests.

And Mr Devendra Bishoo, the ICC Emerging Cricketer of the Year, continued his impressive progress with 11 wickets in the two Tests in Bangladesh to be the top bowler on either side.

We should add to all of that, bright performances by the young openers Messrs Kraigg Braithwaite and Kieran Powell.

Surely there is reason to believe that if the more senior players, including the captain as well as Messrs Shiv Chanderpaul, Marlon Samuels, Fidel Edwards, Carlton Baugh and Ravi Rampaul, perform close to their abilities, India will be seriously challenged by the West Indies in the Test series which begins tonight our time.

As it has turned out, whether by accident or design, the Bangladesh tour has been ideal preparation for the West Indies team ahead of this trip to India.

Jamaicans, of course, have added reason to celebrate cricket at this time after their team's triumph in the Super50 tournament in Guyana. Title success, four seasons in a row, has firmly established the Jamaicans as kingpins of regional four-day cricket. But success in the shorter versions of the game have been sparse and far apart — the last being four years ago.

Congrats are due to Mr Chris Gayle — who regrettably remains at loggerheads with the regional cricket authorities — and his players as well as coach Mr Junior Bennett for maintaining discipline and skill levels in difficult conditions in Guyana.

Now we must look to the regional Twenty-20 tournament in January with its window to the lucrative Champions League. Presumably, the Jamaica Cricket Association will be doing all in its power to thoroughly prepare the national squad for this one.

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