Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer
Former West Indian captain Brian Lara looks upon one of the three awards he collected at Tuesday night's West Indies Players Association awards ceremony at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel. - DELLMAR PHOTO
WORLD RECORD holder for the highest individual Test score, Brian Lara, said he was undeserving of the 2004 International Cricketer of the Year award bestowed upon him by the West Indies Players' Association (WIPA) at its annual awards ceremony held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel on Tuesday night.
Lara told the gathering at the event that he believed one of the younger players deserved the honour.
"A guy who scored 1,100 runs and scored 400 in one match, I don't think should be winning International Cricketer of the Year?" said Lara.
The former West Indies captain defeated Christopher Gayle, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan, the other nominated players, for the top award. He also took home the Supreme Ventures/ 'Test Cricketer of the Year' trophy and a special award for his record, unbeaten 400 against England.
WORLD RECORD
In 2004, Lara scored 1,178 runs from 12 Test matches at an average of 58.90, which included three centuries, one of which was the world record and four 50s. In the shorter version of the game he managed 484 runs from 20 matches with a top score of 59 not out at an average of 32.26.
Through Lara did not say who he believed should be given the top award, Jamaica's Gayle, who was voted the 'One-Day Player of the Year', appeared the most likely candidate.
The tall left-handed batsman scored 1,135 Test runs, which included four centuries and seven 50s - with a best score of 141, at an average of 54.04. He also pocketed 12 wickets.
Gayle, who will also be remembered for his six fours in one over off England paceman Matthew Hoggard, had an equally impressive one-day season.
Gayle's one-day year saw him score 722 runs from 23 matches at an average of 38.00 and taking 21 wickets at an economy rate of 4.74, his best effort being 3-20.
During that same period, Sarwan scored 1,005 Test runs, which included three centuries and four 50s at a average of 50.25. He also took 14 wickets while in one-dayers he notched up 791 runs with a best score of 104 not out, five half centuries at 56.50. He claimed five wickets.
JAMAICANS REWARDED
Chanderpaul played two Test matches less (10), in which he complied 715 runs, with two centuries, three half centuries at 47.66 while his one-day efforts brought him 668 runs with a top score of 92 and five half centuries at 33.40.
Two Jamaicans, Gayle and Xavier Marshall, were also rewarded for their performances throughout the year.
Gayle copped the 'ODI Cricketer of the Year,' beating Sarwan, Ian Bradshaw and Chanderpaul, who were the other nominated players.
Marshall, the only Youth player to represent the West Indies senior team during 2004, collected the 'Under-19 Cricketer of the Year'.
The Jamie Trenchfield-led Young Jamaica team, which won the three-day final by beating Barbados, picked up the Youth Team award.
Devon Smith was voted First Class Cricketer of the Year, while Dwayne Bravo was given the award for the 'Emerging Player of the Year'.
