Pontings claims top ICC award

Updated 10.25 Tue Sep 11 2007
Keywords: ICC awards, Kevin Pietersen, Michael Vaughan, Ricky Ponting, cricket, sport

Ricky Ponting has become the first player to win the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for the ICC's Cricketer of the Year two years in a row.

The Australia skipper also picked up the Captain of the Year prize and and was named skipper of both the Test and One-Day Team of the Year.

England Test captain Michael Vaughan was named in the Test Team of the Year just a year after being told by doctors he was unlikely to play again following a recurrence of his long-standing knee problems

Meanwhile, England Test captain Michael Vaughan was named in the Test Team of the Year just a year after being told by doctors he was unlikely to play again following a recurrence of his long-standing knee problems.

Vaughan, who has scored two centuries since his return to Test cricket at the start of the summer, led England to a comprehensive series victory over West Indies.

And Sri Lanka wicketkeeper-batsman Kumar Sangakkara, who also featured in the line-up, paid triubute to the Yorkshireman, saying: "To come back from a career-threatening injury is very impressive, particularly the way he has come back by scoring all the runs he has done.

"It's very special what he's done and shows what a class act he is and we're looking forward to seeing him touring Sri Lanka in the winter."

Despite being nominated in five separate categories, no England player managed to pick up an individual award.

Indeed, while Kevin Pietersen was included in both the Test and One-Day Team of the Year, he missed out on both the Test and Cricketer of the Year awards.

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