PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):

Mystery spinner Sunil Narine was named Trinidad and Tobago's Cricketer of the Year hours after copping the International Cricket Council's (ICC) Emerging Player of the Year award in Sri Lanka.

The announcement was made at the T&T Cricket Board's (TTCB) 56th annual presentation ceremony on Saturday night.

Narine had an outstanding year for Trinidad and Tobago with the ball and was instrumental in his country qualifying for the Champions League.

Narine also picked up 31 wickets in three regional first class matches. He beat out skipper Denesh Ramdin, Kavesh Kantasingh, Darren Bravo and Keiron Pollard for the top award.

Jaggernauth awarded too

Another off-spinner, Amit Jagger-nauth, shared the spotlight with Narine and was named Premier League Cricketer of the Year after sterling performances for Queen's Park.

Queen's Park made a clean sweep of the local titles, bagging three and was named Club of the Year.

The Young Cricketer of the Year was opener Jeremy Solozano, a prolific scorer during the recent regional under-19 tournament.

Meantime, West Indies captain Merissa Aguilleira has been named Female Cricketer of the Year.

"Some years ago I made a comment that cricket is dying and we needed a change in administration. I had a chat with Azim Bassarath in Moruga and he said once given a chance he would change things," said Jack Warner, minister of national security who was among officials attending the awards.

"I would like to take back that comment tonight because he is doing a wonderful job and cricket is prospering in this country. I will say nothing about the other sport."