Shiv gets praises after taking top prize

10/09/08ST. JOHN’S, Antigua — West Indies batsman Shiv Chanderpaul won the prestigious Sir Garfield Sobers award on Wednesday night as he was voted Cricketer of the Year at the International Cricket Council’s award ceremony in Dubai.

During the voting period, Chanderpaul played eight Test matches – scoring 819 runs at an average of 91.00, including three centuries and six half-centuries. He is currently ranked No. 1 in the ICC Player Rankings for Test batsmen and is sixth in the rankings for ODI batsmen. His brilliance overflowed into the One-Day format. He played 13 One-Day Internationals during that time, finishing top of the averages with 74.75 having scored 598 runs – including a century and five half-centuries.

Below are words of congratulations from Dr Julian Hunte, President of the West Indies Cricket Board; Dr Donald Peters; Chief Executive Officer of the West Indies Cricket Board; Omar Khan, Manager of the West Indies Team and Chris Gayle; Captain of the West Indies Team.

Dr Julian Hunte: Shivnarine Chanderpaul should be admired for his dedication and commitment to West Indies cricket. He is a valuable member of West Indies team and I can think of no one playing in world cricket at the moment who is more deserving of this award. When you think of Shiv, you immediately see a young man who demonstrates to us all what it means to work hard and be totally committed.

On behalf of the West Indies Cricket Board I want to congratulate him. It is an award he truly deserves. I also want to extend congratulations to his wife Amy as well, who has been with him though thick and thin.

Dr Donald Peters: To be ranked the Cricketer of the Year at a time when international players performance are so high, is a remarkable achievement. We at the West Indies Cricket Board are proud of Chanderpaul and I am sure that all the people of Guyana and the entire West Indies will be equally proud of this prestigious honour. I can only hope that this global award to one of our own will be the catalyst that drives all cricketers in the West Indies to set their goals higher.

Omar Khan: Shiv is truly deserving of this highest accolade and over the years he has confirmed that he is one of the premier batsmen of our time. Shiv epitomises the sort of dedication, discipline, commitment and skill required to excel at the highest level and it is my hope that this honour and international recognition would inspire and motivate all our other current and upcoming West Indian cricketers to emulate the professionalism and hard work which have been consistently demonstrated by Shiv since this is much needed as we continue in our quest to bring West Indies cricket back to one of the top cricketing nations of the world.

Chris Gayle: On behalf of myself and the members of the West Indies team, I would like to congratulate Shiv on this outstanding achievement and being awarded the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy.

It’s a pleasure to play alongside him and he has always been a tower of strength. You can always rely on him for advice, kind words, and brilliant performances. In all forms of the games he has been amazing and is truly the Number One man in world cricket. All credit must go to him. As the ‘veteran’, in the team he has always delivered when called upon and knowing the guy, it would be safe to say he’s not finished yet. I am happy for him and wish him all the very best.”

Source: West Indies Cricket Board