BRIDGETOWN (CMC):

Prolific West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chander-paul has been nominated for two top awards at the International Cricket Council Awards in Dubai tomorrow night.

Chanderpaul, who has scored prolifically over the last year despite the regional side's poor form, has been put up for Cricketer of the Year and Test Player of the Year.

The 34-year-old will compete with Sri Lankan batsman Mahela Jayawardene, South African opener Graeme Smith and South African fast bowler Dale Steyn for the Cricketer of the Year title.

Competition

He will face competition from Jayawardene, Steyn and South African Jacques Kallis for Test Player of the Year.

None of the four players up for the Cricketer of the Year Award has lifted the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy before.

Chanderpaul had a bumper year, scoring 247 runs in three Tests in South Africa; 130 runs in two Tests against Sri Lanka; and rounding off the Digicel Home Series 2008 with 442 at an average of 147.33 against Australia.

That form propelled him to number one in the ICC batting rankings, for the first time ever in his career. In the process, he crested the 8,000-run mark in Tests, becoming fourth on the all-time West Indies list behind legends Brian Lara, Sir Vivian Richards and Sir Garfield Sobers.

West Indies coach John Dyson praised Chanderpaul's achievements, pointing out they were a testament to his commitment.