By Marlon Munroe

West Indies middle order batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan was named Cricketer-of-the-Year on Tuesday evening when the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) hosted its annual awards presentation ceremony at the Umana Yana in Kingston.

Ramnaresh Sarwan receives his award from West Indies Cricket Board CEO Dr. Ernest Hilaire. (Orlando Charles photo)

The elegant Guyana and West Indies number-three batsman has played 83 Test matches, scored 850 runs from nine matches this year with four centuries and one half century.

Sarwan’s highest score was 291 against England in Barbados and he got the nod over fellow West Indies batsmen Narsingh Deonarine and Travis Dowlin.

Deonarine was awarded the Regional cricketer of the year prize for scoring over 1000 runs this year in the WICB President’s Cup first-class tournament which earned him a recall to the West Indies senior team.

Dowlin, on the other hand, was given a special prize for being selected to the West Indies team after making his debut in the series against Bangladesh where he scored his maiden One-day International century and narrowly missed out on scoring his first test century.

Meanwhile, Trevon Griffith, who was selected to represent the  West Indies in the under-19 World Cup in New Zealand next month, got the nod for the junior Cricketer-of-the-Year while fast bowler Keon Joseph, who will also be on tour in New Zealand, was named Fast Bowler-of-the-Year.

Royston Crandon was adjudged the Most Improved Player for the all-round transformation and elevation of his game.

He was also selected on the West Indies team for the ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa.

Berbician Assad Fudadin grabbed the Domestic Cricketer-of-the-Year award. On the distaff side, West Indies player, Shemaine Campbell, was named Junior Female Cricketer-of-the-Year while Tremayne Smartt copped the Senior Female Cricketer-of-the-Year.

Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club copped the most outstanding club award.

The GCB also honoured persons who have supported cricket throughout the year.

President of the GCB, Chetram Singh, lauded the winners of the respective categories and urged them to continue elevating the level of their game.

He said that Guyana had a year of fluctuating fortunes but said he was satisfied with some of the strides they took on the developmental front.

Singh said that the GCB has been able to organize many tournaments with the last one being the three-day first division tournament that is currently ongoing. He pointed out that the GCB will push the envelope further in the new year especially if the standard of the country’s cricket is to rise.

Former Essequibo Cricket Board President (ECB) Alvin Johnson made the acceptance speech on behalf the winners. He urged them not to stay stagnant and implored them to not become complacent especially since others are aspiring for their positions.