The International Cricket Council has announced the ICC players of the year. Australian Test captain Steve Smith has been announced the winner of Sir Garfield Sobers player of the year and Test player of the year.
Steve Smith is delighted to win the award. “Given that there are so many great players around the world, I’m incredibly honoured to receive these awards,” he said.
Meanwhile, 23-year-old Meg Lanning of Australia has won ICC Women’s One-Day International Cricketer of the Year for 2015.
“It’s a privilege to be part of growing momentum in women’s cricket and public support for women’s sport in general,” she said after winning the award.
The voting period to judge the 10 winners ran from 18 September 2014 to 13 September 2015.
South Africa ODI captain AB de Villers is the winner of the ODI player of the year. The ODI performance of De Villiers has been outstanding throughout the year. De Villiers T20 captain Faf du Plessis has been adjudged the best T20 player for his 56 balls 119 against West Indies.
Meanwhile, West Indies women cricketer Stefanie Taylor has won the of the award of best T20 player of the year. “For me, it is an early Christmas gift, so I have something extra to celebrate,” Taylor said.
Australian pace bowler Josh Hazlewood has been adjudged the emerging cricketer of the year. “It’s a genuine thrill to be recognised in this way,” Hazlewood said.
Meanwhile, New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum is the winner of the ICC Spirit of Cricket Award. He has won the award for inspiring New Zealand to play the game in its true spirit. In the semifinal McCullum even after reaching the World Cup final for the first time gave up the celebration and opted to console South African players, who were shattered after the defeat.
UAE’s Khurram Khan has won the best ICC Affiliate and Associate member award. “To be the first UAE player to be named as ICC AM Cricketer of the year makes this more special,” Khan said.
Umpire Richard Kettleborough of England has won the David Shepherd award for ICC umpire of the year award.