West Indies cricketer, Chris Gayle

Gayle, the current world number 2 ranked all-rounder in One Day International cricket, captured the award ahead of Trinidad and Tobago's batting star Brian Lara, the triple world record holder with the bat, Guyana's middle order batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan and Jamaica's emerging fast bowler Jerome Taylor.

The 27-year-old, who played seven Test matches and 31 ODI in 2006, was delighted at winning the award.

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

Also copping awards at the ceremony, held in the Sherbourne Conference Centre, were West Indies Test opener Daren Ganga of Trinidad and Tobago, who took the prize for the top Test Player of the Year, while Sarwan collected the top prize for the best One Day International player of the year.

As expected, Jamaican paceman Taylor was selected as the emerging player of the year, while 14-year-old Stephanie Taylor won the West Indies women's cricketer of the year award.

Others presented with awards at the ceremony were Versammy Permaul, who picked up the Under-19 Player of the Year crown; Kieren Pollard, the limited overs Player of the Year and Barbadian Ryan Hinds, who won the First Class Player of the Year award.