Agencies
Singapore, November 14
Australia paceman Mitchell Johnson has been voted the ICC cricketer and Test player of the year.
Johnson stormed back on to the international cricket scene during the 2013/14 season with brilliant performances in the 5-0 Ashes whitewash and against the Proteas during Australia’s series win in South Africa.Johnson said being counted alongside the greats of the game is “a very special honour”.
“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,” he said.
“I suppose it comes down to the attitude I’ve got, the belief and the confidence. I’m very happy with where I am at the moment and I want to keep getting better as a cricketer. This is something that I’ll be able to look back on in time when my career is over and be exceptionally proud of.”
The eight games against England and South Africa were the only Tests Johnson played during the voting period – August 26, 2013 to September 17, 2014 – and finished with 59 wickets at an average of 15.23.
“Mitchell’s performances last summer in Australia and South Africa where he helped lead the Test side to victory helped lift the mood of the nation,” Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said in a statement.
“It was one of the most devastating displays of fast bowling seen in recent times which forged his reputation as a national hero.”
The 33-year-old edged South Africa’s AB de Villiers, and Sri Lanka’s Angelo Mathews and Kumar Sangakarra for the top gong.
Johnson was named player of the year in 2009 as well and now joins former captain Ricky Ponting as the only player to win the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy twice.
Johsnon was not the only Australian recognized by cricket’s world governing body, with Southern Stars captain Meg Lanning named women’s Twenty20 player of the year.
“Meg Lanning has been exceptional in her role as captain of the Australian women’s team, the Southern Stars,” Sutherland said.
“She is an outstanding role model and is doing an excellent job promoting cricket as a sport of choice for talented female sportspeople across the nation.”
Aaron Finch won the T20 performance of the year award for his 156 of just 63 deliveries against England at the Rose Bowl in August last year.
Sutherland said all three Australians were inspiring the next generation of Australian cricketers.
