(Trinidad Guardian) Legspinner Devendra Bishoo walked away with the trophies for International and Test “Cricketer of the Year” while allrounder Stafanie Taylor was named Women’s Cricketer of the Year at the West Indies Players’ Association/First Citizens award ceremony at the Hyatt Regency in Port-of-Spain, on Friday night. T&T batsman Lendl Simmons also collected two trophies, winning for theT20 International Cricketer and Caribbean T20 Cricketer categories, while other major awards went to Andre Russell (ODIs), Kirk Edwards (Emerging Cricketer), Marlon Samuels (First Class Four Day) and Sunil Narine (First Class Limited Overs). Fast bowling legend Curtly Ambrose was recognized with a Special Award for his contributions to West Indies cricket, while tributes were paid to the late batsman Runako Morton and former WIPA President Dinanath Ramnarine. Throughout the 2011 calendar year, Bishoo took 39 wickets in 10 Tests (Ave: 36.23), 20 wickets in 13 ODIS (Ave: 23.80, Econ: 4.28) 16.33, Econ: 6.25). and six wickets in four T20Is.
He beat out competition in the Test category from Darren Bravo (949 runs, Ave: 49.94), Kirk Edwards (595 runs, Ave: 54.09), Shivnarine Chanderpaul (646 runs, Ave: 53.83) and Fidel Edwards (32 wkts, Ave: 29.90). “It’s an honour to be presented for these awards and I will continue to work hard and give my all for West Indies cricket,” said Taylor, currently rated number one in both the ICC’s ODI Batting Bishoo. and Allrounder Rankings, scored 538 runs (Ave: 53.80) and had 18 wickets (Ave: 13.22) in 13 ODIs last year. In 16 ODIs, allrounder Russell managed 336 runs (Ave: 33.60, SR: 124.44) and grabbed 21 wickets (Ave: 28.71, Econ: 5.34) to edge Bishoo and Simmons (792 runs, Ave: 49.50, SR: 79.75) for the award. Meanwhile, Simmons scored 97 runs in three T20Is (Ave: 32.33, SR: 125.97) and hit 249 runs at 41.50 (SR: 111.65) in the Caribbean T20, in which he guided T&T to the title and was named Player of the Tournament. Also attending the ceremony were former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd, newly appointed WIPA President Wavell Hinds, WICB vice president Dave Cameron and Minister of Sport Anil Roberts.
HONOUR ROLL:
International Cricketer of the Year: Devendra Bishoo
Women’s Cricketer of the Year: Stafanie Taylor
Emerging Cricketer of the Year: Kirk Edwards
Test Match Cricketer of the Year: Devendra Bishoo
ODI Cricketer of the Year: Andre Russell
T20I Cricketer of the Year: Lendl Simmons
First Class Four Day Cricketer of the Year: Marlon Samuels
First Class Limited Overs Cricketer of the Year: Sunil Narine
Caribbean T20 Cricketer of the Year: Lendl Simmons
First Class Team of the Year: Jamaica
U-19 Cricketer of the Year: Deron Davis
U-19 Team of the Year: Jamaica
