Dravid Stars at ICC Awards

Rahul Dravid was the star of Tuesday night’s inaugural ICC awards ceremony at Alexandra Palace, London, picking up the coveted Player of the Year award as well as Test Player of the Year.


"It was a great honour, totally unexpected," commented Dravid, who scored a phenomenal 1295 runs at an average of 95 during the year long qualifying period. "I was very surprised because a lot of people here have had a good year. I'm really happy, and honoured, to be selected."


The awards were decided by a voting academy, which included 10 captains, the Elite Panel of ICC umpires, seven members of the Elite Panel of ICC referees and a combination of 25 former cricketing legends and members of the media.


Dravid received a total 64 votes in the Player of the Year Award category, 20 votes clear of his nearest rival, all rounder Andrew Flintoff, who was rewarded for his great year earlier in the night, winning the one-day Player of the Year. He scored a total of 551 runs at a remarkable average of 78 plus a respectable 12 wickets at 20.50. His success capped off an eventful week, after becoming a father only the day before.


Flintoff was evidently thrilled with the accolade saying "If somebody had said three years ago that I'd be up here with Ricky (Ponting), and Jacques (Kallis), I probably wouldn't have believed them" He also quick to praise his team mates "My job's been made easier by the class players in the side. We're really just 11 mates who go out and play, and enjoy each other's company”


Indian Irfan Pathan, 19, was dubbed Emerging Player of the Year, receiving 100 votes while Pakistani Yasir Hameed came in second place on 75 votes. Pathan was a deserved winner, having claimed 12 test and 36 one-day wickets. "I have the confidence to do well in international cricket, but this award will boost my confidence even more” he said, adding, "My family has supported me a lot as well as my coaches, right throughout my career. Everyone has helped me and I'd like to thank them all"


The spirit of cricket award went to New Zealand while Australian Simon Taufel was named Umpire of the year.


The ICC also unveiled their World Test and one-day XIs. Two of the greatest players of recent time, Muttiah Muralitharan and Sachin Tendulkar, were both ommited from the sides, which were dominated by the Australians. A delighted Ricky Ponting was named captain of the teams, commenting, "This is a great thrill and honour." He also said that the high contingent of Aussies was a "testament to the strength of Australian cricket"

World one-day XI
1 Adam Gilchrist (wk), 2 Sachin Tendulkar, 3 Chris Gayle, 4 Ricky Ponting (capt), 5 Brian Lara, 6 Virender Sehwag, 7 Jacques Kallis, 8 Andrew Flintoff, 9 Shaun Pollock, 10 Chaminda Vaas, 11 Jason Gillespie.

World Test XI
1 Matthew Hayden, 2 Herschelle Gibbs, 3 Ricky Ponting (capt), 4 Rahul Dravid, 5 Brian Lara, 6 Jacques Kallis, 7 Adam Gilchrist (wk), 8 Chaminda Vaas, 9 Shane Warne, 10 Jason Gillespie, 11 Stephen Harmison.

Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy (Player of the Year): Rahul Dravid (Ind)
Test Player of the Year: Rahul Dravid (Ind)
ODI Player of the Year: Andrew Flintoff (Eng)
Emerging Player of Year: Irfan Pathan (Ind)
Umpire of the Year: Simon Taufel (Aus)
Spirit of Cricket: New Zealand


Posted by Alex