DUBAI, Jan 15, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Ben Stokes was Wednesday named the
International Cricket Council player of the year, capping an unforgettable
2019 for the swashbuckling England all-rounder that included a match-winning
knock at the World Cup.
Stokes was the unanimous choice for the coveted Sir Garfield Sobers trophy
— thanks to his unbeaten 84 in a dramatic final against New Zealand in July
followed by a brilliant 135 not out to win the third Ashes Test against
Australia six weeks later in Leeds.
Stokes, 28, said it was a huge honour for any cricketer to receive such an
award. “To be recognised and be the person to win that (award) it’s pretty
amazing,” he said in a video statement.
During the voting period, Stokes aggregated 719 runs and bagged 12 wickets
in 20 ODIs. He also scored 821 runs and took 22 wickets in 11 Tests.
Indian opener Rohit Sharma was named the ODI cricketer of the year while
captain Virat Kohli bagged the Spirit of Cricket award for his gesture to
stop fans from booing Australia’s Steve Smith during a World Cup match.
Smith was returning to international cricket from a one-year suspension for
changing the condition of the ball.
“I’m surprised that I have got it, after many years of being under the
scanner for the wrong things,” Kohli said in a statement put out by ICC.
“That moment was purely understanding an individual’s situation. I don’t
think a guy who is coming out of a situation like that needs to be taken
advantage of.”
Kohli was also named captain of both the ICC Test and ODI teams of the
year.
In other major awards, Australia fast bowler Pat Cummins was named the Test
player of the year and teammate Marnus Labuschagne was declared emerging
cricketer of the year.