Gayle takes top honor in West Indies squad

Allrounder Chris Gayle is named West Indian cricketer of the year while fast bowler Jerome Taylor is voted emerging player of the year.

Allrounder Chris Gayle was named West Indian cricketer of the year at the squad's annual award ceremony.

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The 27-year-old Gayle, a left-handed opener and right-arm spinner, won the award Monday at a West Indies Players Association ceremony, beating teammates Brian Lara, Jerome Taylor and Ramnaresh Sarwan.

Gayle played seven Test matches in 2006, making 455 runs and taking four wickets. In 31 one-day internationals, he hit 1,229 runs, including four centuries.

He hit three centuries in November during the ICC Champions Trophy in India and was named player of the tournament, helping the West Indies reach the final.

"I am delighted to win this top award," Gayle said.

Taylor, a 23-year-old fast bowler, was voted emerging player of the year. His best performances came in the Champions Trophy when he took a hat trick against Australia in the preliminaries, the first by a Windies player in a one-day international.

There were also lifetime awards for Sir Garfield Sobers and Sir Everton Weekes.

WIPA president Dinanath Ramnarine said the two were "classic examples of West Indian excellence on the global stage".