BRADES, Montserrat (CMC):

Lionel Baker, the first Montserratian to play for the West Indies, was greeted with a hero's welcome when he arrived here Thursday evening.

Scores of jubilant supporters turned up at the John A Osborne Airport for Baker's arrival, his first return to his homeland since making his debut for the senior West Indies team in November.

"When I came off the plane and saw so many people I was quite happy to see that the people of Montserrat appreciate what I have done, I was quite happy," a delighted Baker told reporters.

"It feels quite good to see all these people coming out to welcome me back," said Baker who joked that "I thought it was Christmas again ... I thought Christmas was coming again just for me," in reference to the large turnout at the airport, which only ever reaches close to that amount in December to greet nationals returning home for the holidays.

"We want to welcome you home and to show our appreciation, for you have done us proud and you are now a national hero," said Communications and Works Minister Charles Kirnon, who greeted the young pacer as he stepped off the plane.

Motorcade

Among the accolades being planned for the West Indies player is the renaming of the main road in Baker's home village of St John's to Lionel Baker Street, where a billboard will be erected in his honour.

"The best part of being back home is to go on my street," Baker said, referring to the stretch of road where he honed his skills after school, on weekends and during vacation as a youngster growing up - and where a motorcade from the airport culminated Thursday night.

A street party organised by a group of villagers was also scheduled for last night to honour their new hero.

The 24-year old Baker took three wickets for 74 runs on his One Day International debut versus Pakistan in Abu Dhabi in November and made his Test debut against New Zealand in Dunedin last month in the opening Test of the two-match rubber. He subsequently played three ODIs against the Kiwis in the five-match series that finished on Tuesday.

He now plans to get a few days rest in the comfort of his parents' home as he awaits word on his selection for the upcoming England tour of the Caribbean.