National cricket coach Gus Logie has hailed West Indies' historic Test win over South Africa last week as a truly remarkable achievement.

Against great odds the Windies pulled off a stunning 128-run win over the Proteas — their first Test win in South Africa and first on foreign turf in seven years — in Port Elizabeth last weekend to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series against the world's second-ranked Test side.

Logie, who coached the West Indies to ICC Champions Trophy glory in England nearly four years ago, told The Royal Gazette: "It's a great achievement and certainly the guys will be on a high because it has been a long time in coming. I think they are beginning to show all the necessary commitment and responsibility individually as players in a collective effort.

"It's really great to see the turnaround. I think we could go down there and win. I think this is very positive as it shows that the players are working hard and putting in the extra time and effort, which is all you can ask for.

"These are some of the same players who have been around for a long time. Everybody knew they had the ability . . . . but all people were asking them to do was to apply themselves and be committed to the cause because it is within their mindset to do so."

Having now put an end to one of the longest droughts in Test history, Logie hopes the Windies' latest success will breed more success.

"I think if the players continue to do the right things, support each other and continue to try and execute the game plan . . . . there's no doubt they will come up trumps more often," said Logie, who made 52 Test appearances for the West Indies between 1983 and 1991. "I really and truly believe this achievement augurs well for West Indies cricket and hopefully they can continue on where they left off in the new year."

Logie also acknowledged Chris Gayle's flourishing leadership abilities.

He said: "From all indications and reports the players seem to be rallying around him (Gayle) and that's what you want as a captain; getting all the support of the players around you.

"I think he leads by example, has grown in stature and is showing leadership qualities that the West Indies have been looking for."

The Windies' five-pronged seam attack (Fidel Edwards, Jerome Taylor, Darren Powell, Darren Sammy and Dwayne Bravo) — that gave very little away against the South Africans in the first Test — also came in for rave reviews from Trinidadian Logie.

"That's what it's all about. . .. . consistency," he said. "If the bowlers can continue with that level of consistency, then I'm certain they will get a lot more positive results."