TTCB Annual Awards
August 17, 2008

Bravo T&TCB's International Cricketer of the Year

T&T and West Indies allrounder Dwayne Bravo was named ' International Cricketer of the Year' at last Friday's T&T Cricket Board's annual prize awards ceremony, held at Gaston Court in Chaguanas.

Bravo also won the T&TCB's President's award. Also making it big among the top awards was T&T and West Indies off-spinner Amit Jaggernauth who was named National Cricketer of the Year and young West Indies opening batsman, Adrian Barath who copped the National Youth Cricketer of the Year title.

President of the T&TCB, Deryck Murray in his address said at present there is a change in the international cricket environment and the opportunities afforded to T&T is a catalyst to change in particular in Twenty/20 cricket, which has brought huge financial benefits to the players and the stakeholders.

However, Murray noted that the 50-over game must be maintained and the five-day Test matches will still remain the bench mark of one's cricketing ability.

Former England captain Mike Brearley's delivered the feature address at the gala function. Speaking on the theme the 'Spirit of Cricket',  Brearley, president of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), said the role of the club has changed along with the international atmosphere of the game.

"Today, the atmosphere at the MCC has changed rapidly," and Brearley believes the change is for the better. "The MCC is now like an upper chamber of cricket...somewhat removed from the political and promotional issues, which are negotiated by the world governing body, International Cricket Council (ICC) and the national cricket boards such as the West Indies Cricket Board and the England and Wales Cricket Board," Brearley said.

"As such, the MCC can rightly have an important role in cricket, akin to the House of Lords in England...the chamber with little power but with some influence. "The MCC is still the guardians of the rules of cricket," he said, adding: "It now has a World Cricket Committee so it can act as part of the conscience of the game without setting itself up as the pinnacle of self-righteousness," Brearley added.

In this regard, Brearley dealt with the issues regarding walking when the batsman knows that he is out, sledging, cheating and healthy rivalry, and the use of technology. He believes that once it is available, technology should be used because, as he sees it: "The highest priority should be given to getting as many decisions as possible right."

In the dilemma between the spirit of cricket, cheating and honest rivalry, Brearley believes that the attitude to competitiveness is relevant. "Without rivalry, sport would not get off the ground so there is a need for healthy rivalry between respected individuals and, in many contexts, rivalry is a necessary feature of life. "It supports proper ambition and it helps develops a full self, but healthy rivalry requires a degree of separation."

Rivalry is good but it must not be allowed to degenerate into cheating and bring the game into disrepute and it is up to the players to enure that the game is played in the right spirt,' Brearley further stated. It is not always about winning and, as Brearley put it: "Match fixing treats everyone and the game itself in contempt.

"Whether you walk or not, in or out, you should get off the field as quickly as possible and get on with the game. "The MCC takes pride in not only cricket but making sure cricket should be played in the right way," Brearley ended.

Honour Roll

Eastern Credit Union National Cricket League
Division Two

Winner - Moosai's Sports Club

Division One

Winner - Ceramic Merry Boys Sports Club

Carib Sunday League

Player of the Tournament - Nicholas Ramjass
Runner-up - W Connection Wanderers
Winner - Ceramic Merry Boys

Carib Shield 20/20

Player of the Tournament - Ryan Hurley
Runner-up - Queen's Park Cricket Club
Winner - Clico Preysal Sports Club

Service to Umpiring - Enite Ali
National Awards - Forbes Persaud, Daren Ganga
Administrator of the Year - William Wallace
Primary Schools Cricketer of the Year - Brian Christmas
Primary Schools Cricketer of the Year - Alissa Joseph
Secondary Schools Cricketer of the Year - Evin Lewis
National Youth Cricketers of the Year - Evin Lewis, Kjorn Ottley, Steven Katwaroo, Derone Davis, Adrian Barath
Youth Cricketer of the Year - Adrian Barath
Youth Spinner of the Year - Yannick Cariah
Senior Cricketers of the Year - Lendl Simmons, Daren Ganga, Dwayne Bravo, Amit Jaggernauth, Dave Mohammed
Senior Cricketer of the Year - Amit Jaggernauth
T&TCB President's Award - Dwayne Bravo
Club of the Year - Ceramic Merry Boys
International Player of the Year - Dwayne Bravo.
Carib Media Award - Naz Yacoob - Trinidad Guardian
Carib Recognition Award - Astill Renn - CNC 3