Australia skipper Steve Smith named ICC player of 2015
Wednesday 23 December 2015 23:57, UK
Australia captain Steve Smith has been named the ICC Test player and cricketer of the year.
South Africa's AB de Villiers has been awarded the best one-day international player for 2015.
Smith becomes the seventh player to be awarded both Test player and cricketer of the year, following fellow Australians Michael Clarke in 2013 and Mitchell Johnson in 2014.
During the voting period from September 18 of last year to September 13, 2015, Smith was the leading run-scorer in Tests with 1,734 in 25 innings at an average of 82.57, including seven centuries.
"Given that there are so many great players around the world, I'm incredibly honoured to receive these awards," Smith said. "While team success is always my No 1 motivation, awards like this are very special. I'm thrilled and very proud to receive them.
"To be recognised as the best player this year against some unbelievable talent around the world, it's very humbling and it's an honour.
"You have to pinch yourself sometimes. It's all a little bit surreal on occasions. Five years ago, I wouldn't have pictured myself in this position. It's been one hell of a ride, the last five years."
It was De Villiers' second consecutive ODI award and comes after he scored 1,265 runs in 20 innings at an average of just over 79, including two centuries and nine half-centuries.
"If I was to look back, the century I scored against the West Indies at the Wanderers will probably go down as the most memorable knock of the year," De Villiers said. "In saying that, centuries count for nothing if the team isn't winning, so hopefully in the future I can contribute to many more Proteas wins."
New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum, who will retire from international cricket in February, won the Spirit of Cricket Award for "inspiring his side to play the game in its true spirit".
"This was clearly evident throughout the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, and in particular in the semi-final where McCullum showed humility and exemplary sportsmanship by inviting De Villiers and his side to the New Zealand's dressing room after a closely-fought match," the ICC said.
Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood was crowned Emerging Cricketer of the Year, while Australia women's captain Meg Lanning was named Women's ODI Cricketer of the Year and West Indies women's captain Stafanie Taylor won her maiden Women's T20 Cricketer of the Year award.
