Sangakkara named ICC cricketer of the year

Updated September 17, 2012 10:46:34

Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara was named ICC cricketer of the year and Test player of the year at the governing body's annual awards ceremony in Colombo.

The 34-year-old edged out Australia's Michael Clarke and South African duo Hashim Amla and Vernon Philander to claim the top award.

India's Virat Kohli took the one-day player of the year honour and West Indies off-spinner Sunil Narine was named emerging cricketer of the year.

Sangakkara scored 1,444 runs in 14 Test matches between August 2011 and August 2012 at an average of 60.16, with five centuries and five half-centuries.

His form bettered that of Clarke's, who scored 1,355 runs at 58.91 in 14 Tests during the same period, including a knock of 329 not out against India in January.

Sangakkara also amassed 1,457 runs at 42.85 from 37 one-day internationals, during which he picked up 42 dismissals as his country's wicketkeeper.

"This is an amazing honour," said Sangakkara, who also won the people's choice award.

"I've seen the people who have won it before me and the nominees too, to be named alongside them is wonderful.

"I admire them greatly and even more so when I looked up at their records on the screen this evening."

India's Kohli was named one-day cricketer of the year for his 1,733 limited-overs runs at an average of 66.65.

"I think I have tried to keep things as simple as possible and it's worked for me on the field," he said.

"This year has been a learning curve along the way from the seniors in the team. It's been an all-round effort and I'm very happy to have won this award."

Narine, 24, from Trinidad, claimed 12 wickets at 31.50 from three Test matches for the West Indies.

South African batsman Richard Levi won the international Twenty20 performance of the year award for his 51-ball 117 not out against New Zealand in Hamilton in February.

The awards were slightly overshadowed by Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal not being nominated for an individual award despite his heroics over the last 12 months.

Pakistan ultimately decided not to boycott the ceremony.

Reuters/ABC

Tags: cricket, sport, sri-lanka, australia

First posted September 17, 2012 10:46:34

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Cricket Score - That's What Everyone Wants To Know

Australia goes down to England in T20 tune-up

Updated September 17, 2012 18:02:53

Australia still has some work to do ahead of the World T20 after the team went down by nine runs to England in their last lead-up game in Colombo.

England made 6 for 172 off their 20 overs, with Alex Hales making 52 and Luke Wright 35. In reply, Australia finished with 6 for 163 off their full allocation of overs.

Australia's bowling accuracy left a lot to be desired, with the team gifting England more than two free overs with a total of 14 wides. Brad Hogg (2-32) and Mitchell Starc (2-39) were the best of the Australian attack.

The Australians were always behind in the run chase losing David Warner for a duck in the first over.

Shane Watson and Mike Hussey steadied the ship with a 74-run partnership before Watson went for 37, bowled by Graeme Swann.

Cameron White was stumped off the spin of Danny Briggs for nine, and when Hussey went lbw to Stuart Broad for 71 in the 17th over, the task became even more difficult.

Captain George Bailey was bowled by Tim Bresnan the following over for 3, leaving Australia in deep trouble at 5 for 145.

The target got down to 27 runs off the last two overs, with Dan Christian and Glenn Maxwell doing the chasing, but Maxwell was caught behind by Jonny Bairstow off the bowling of Steve Finn for 18 with nine balls left.

The Australians needed 22 off the last six balls, but Bresnan restricted them to just five runs off the first five deliveries, before Matthew Wade ended the game with a big six off the final ball.

Australia's first Cup game will be against Ireland on Wednesday night (AEST) in Colombo.

England 6-172 (20 overs) - Hales 52, Wright 35, Hogg 2-39, Starc 2-32

Australia 6-163 (20 overs) - M Hussey 71, Watson 37, Finn 2-26, Bresnan 1-32

England won by nine runs

Tags: sport, cricket, sri-lanka, australia

First posted September 17, 2012 17:58:30

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