ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Devendra Bishoo and Stafanie Taylor have been highly praised, after they scooped honours at the International Cricket Council Awards on Monday.
Leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo won the Emerging Player-of-the-Year award, and all-rounder Taylor won the Women’s Player-of-the-Year.
West Indies coach Ottis Gibson said he was happy to see the progress Bishoo has made in the first year of his international career, urging him to continue working hard.
“He shows a great attitude to learning, and this reward is a testament to his attitude to learn as much as he can and to seek to improve,” said Gibson in an official release.
“We are all delighted, and we all hope he will continue to grow as a cricketer and fulfil his potential.”
Bishoo, who was unable to attend the ceremony, was the top choice of the 25-member voting academy, finishing ahead of team-mate Darren Bravo, and the Pakistan pair of Wahab Riaz and Azhar Ali against whom he played in the home series earlier this year.
West Indies Women’s captain Merissa Aguilleira said she Taylor’s award was a major victory for the women’s game in the Caribbean.
“Stafanie is a very determined, hardworking, consistent player, and she is a great asset to the West Indies Women’s team,” said Aguilleira.
“After hearing that she won the award, I was very pleased that I have a player of that calibre playing alongside me. I want to wish her continued success.
Aguilleira added: “With her reaching this level, the other girls will see that the sky is the limit, and see Stafanie as an example that we can be the best in the World.
“This is a great achievement not just for her, but for West Indies cricket and for women in the West Indies.”
Taylor took the award ahead of England duo Charlotte Edwards and Lydia Greenway, as well as last year’s winner Shelley Nitschke of Australia.
