Mitchell Johnson named ICC Cricketer of the Year for the second time as Gary Ballance picks up Emerging award

AB de Villiers won the ICC ODI cricketer of the year

Sudipto Ganguly
Friday 14 November 2014 09:00 GMT
Comments
Mitchell Johnson
Mitchell Johnson

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Australia fast bowler Mitchell Johnson has matched compatriot Ricky Ponting's feat of winning the International Cricket Council's (ICC) Cricketer of the Year award twice, the governing body said on Friday.

The 33-year-old Johnson won the Sir Garfield Sobers trophy for the second time after winning the award in 2009 and was also named the ICC test cricketer of the year. Former Australia captain Ponting won the title in 2006 and 2007.

Left-arm paceman Johnson fired Australia to a 5-0 Ashes sweep of England and a 2-1 series win in South Africa between August 2013 and September 2014, taking 59 test wickets at an average of 15.23.

"Aggressive fast bowlers are something you'd have seen back in the day with the likes of (Dennis) Lillee and (Jeff) Thomson," Johnson said in an ICC statement.

"For me, it's nice to be able to contribute to the team and do the job that I've always thought I've been able to do.

"This is something that I'll be able to look back on in time when my career is over and be exceptionally proud of."

Gary Ballance was recognised as the Emerging Player of the Year
Gary Ballance was recognised as the Emerging Player of the Year (GETTY IMAGES)

Sri Lanka batsman Kumar Sangakkara, the winner in 2012, captain Angelo Mathews and his South African counterpart AB de Villiers were the other contenders for cricketer of the year honours.

De Villiers won the ICC one-day international cricketer of the year while England's Gary Balance was named the ICC emerging cricketer of the year.

Reuters

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in