KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC):

West Indies Cricket Board President Julian Hunte says he is pleased with the impact of the two historic Twenty20 internationals played in Florida last weekend.

For the first time in a West Indies bilateral series, the regional side played matches outside the Caribbean with the doubleheader against New Zealand at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium.

"We are delighted that the two matches in the United States were so successful," he said.

"We are extremely grateful for the major efforts undertaken by the Friends of Broward County, the United States Cricket Association, as well as Broward County itself.

"We have been very impressed with the Central Broward Regional Park. The two teams were made to feel extremely welcome by the people of South Florida, and we felt the two matches were a spectacular advertisement for the game."

Thousands of West Indians living in South Florida turned out to watch the West Indies beat the Black Caps comprehensively in both fixtures.

On Saturday, West Indies claimed a 56-run win before following up with a 61-run victory the following day.

US market crucial

Hunte said there was a key role for cricket to play in the United States market.

"This was a bold expansion of the Digicel 2012 Series beyond the shores of the Caribbean, and we are excited to have brought the game back to the scores of West Indies fans in North America," he noted.

"Given the huge number of West Indians who live in the United States and neighbouring, as well as the commercial possibilities both for West Indies cricket and the game, this was long overdue."