Jonathan Trott has capped a 12 months to remember by being named as the ECB Cricketer of the Year.
Run-machine Trott pips Strauss, Cook and Swann to Player of the Year award
Jonathan Trott has been rewarded for his progression into England's main run-machine by being named as the ECB Cricketer of the Year.
Trott beat off competition from Ashes hero Alastair Cook, captain Andrew Strauss and last year's winner Graeme Swann to scoop the award which was handed out in the Long Room at Lord's.
South African-born batsman Trott has been in outstanding form in the last 12 months, with just over 1,000 Test runs in 11 matches containing four centuries, three fifties and at an average of 81.15.
Added to 1,132 runs in 21 one-day matches, including three hundreds, Trott has plundered 2,246 runs at an average of 68 overall for England in the last year.
A golden year kicked off for Trott with his career-best 226 against Bangladesh at Lord's, followed by unbeaten knocks of 135 in Brisbane and 168 in Melbourne to help England retain the Ashes.
Proud
"I am both extremely humbled and proud to have been named England cricketer of the year after what has clearly been the most enjoyable year of my cricketing career so far," said Trott of his award.
"It is an honour to represent England and it has been a privilege to be involved in such a successful, hard working team. I wouldn't have won this award without the commitment and support of my team-mates.
"This award really belongs to the entire England squad and management team that have provided such a supportive and professional environment that has allowed me to prosper as a cricketer and a person."
Trott recently hit a match-winning double century against Sri Lanka in Cardiff and will be back at Lord's on Wednesday preparing for the second Test starting on Friday.
The 30-year-old hopes to be part of an England team that can rise up from their current third spot to overtake India as the world's best Test side.
Special
"I think it is definitely manageable," said Trott. "We are going to have to maintain the form we did through the Ashes. I am very hesitant to use the word 'special'.
"But with this group of guys at the moment, I think we might have the potential to push towards that.
"We definitely have the characteristics and desire of a group of players that one day may be able to be described in that sort of way."
Trott's form has been such that only the great Don Bradman currently has a better Test average, but he is keen to keep his feet on the ground and continue to improve.
"You just have to prove it to yourself, and others," he added. "I'd had a great start (with an Ashes-clinching hundred on debut in 2009), and then maybe didn't do as well as I would have liked that winter in South Africa and Bangladesh.
"No-one's got a right to score runs at any stage. You always believe you can do it, but proving it can be the difficult part."
Lydia Greenway was named women's cricketer of the year, and Umesh Valjee the England disability cricketer of the year, as ECB chief executive David Collier acknowledged a great year all round.
"In the last 12 months our men's team retained the Ashes, winning a series in Australia for the first time since 1987, while our women's team enjoyed a superb Twenty20 Series victory this winter, against the current ICC world champions," said Collier.
"On behalf of everyone involved in English cricket, I would like to congratulate Jonathan Trott, Lydia Greenway and Umesh Valjee on their respective awards."
