Aussie captain Steve Smith named ICC Cricketer of The Year

There’s not much that Steve Smith hasn’t conquered in the world of cricket over the last 12 months or so.

But being named the 2015 winner of the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy as the International Cricket Council’s Cricketer of the Year is just about the icing on the cake for the Australian captain.

Smith is the fourth Australian to be awarded the prestigious accolade behind Ricky Ponting (twice), Mitchell Johnson (twice) and Michael Clarke.

Smith dominated the voting period from September 18, 2014 to September 13, 2015, amassing 1734 runs in 13 Tests at an average of 82.57 with seven centuries and a top score of 215 against England at Lord’s in August.

Those numbers also earned Smith the accolade as the ICC’s Test Player of the Year.

Those numbers were complemented by 1249 runs in 26 one-day internationals at an average of just under 60. He hit four centuries – and also the winning runs in the World Cup Final back in March against New Zealand at the MCG.

Smith was also named in the ICC’s Test and ODI’s Teams of the Year.

The 26-year-old said he was ‘completely surprised and very humbled’ when told of his success.

‘You don’t think about these awards and these accolades,’ Smith told cricket.com.au.

‘You just want to go out there and do the best you can for your team to try and win as many games as possible.

‘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.’ 

Southern Stars captain Meg Lanning was named the ICC’S women’s one-day international Player of the Year while Josh Hazlewood was named the Emerging Cricketer of the Year.
?