Clarke Scoops Top ICC Honours

The LG ICC Awards were hosted by former Australia captain Ricky Ponting who won the Sir Garfield Sobers trophy in 2006 and 2007, ICC Test Cricketer of the Year in 2006 and was appointed captain of ICC’s ODI Team of the Year in 2007, 2008 and 2010.

WINNERS

Cricketer of the Year (Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy)
Michael Clarke

Test Cricketer of the Year
Michael Clarke

Australia's Michael Clarke was named both Cricketer of the Year and Test Cricketer of the Year, two of the most prestigious awards, on Clarke's 100th Test, against England in Perth.

In Tests, Clarke reached an incredible 1559 runs during the voting period, more than 300 better than the second highest, Alastair Cook. His 5 Test centuries included 2 double-hundreds and a 187 against England.

Women's ODI Cricketer of the Year
Suzie Bates

New Zealand'sSuzie Bates scored 681 runs, with 2 centuries and 5 half-centuries in 11 innings. She was also the top run scorer in the women's World Cup early this year.

ODI Cricketer of the Year
Kumar Sangakkara

Sri Lanka's Sangakkara was named the ODI Cricketer of the Year, the leading run scorer in ODI cricket with 956 runs, including a career-best of 169 runs against South Africa.

Emerging Cricketer of the Year
Cheteshwar Pujara

India's Cheteshwar Pujara only played two ODIs, but was among five batsmen to score over 1000 Test runs, including 4 centuries in 10 Tests.

Associate and Affiliate Cricketer of the Year
Kevin O'Brien

Kevin O'Brien was recognised for his all-round performances in helping Ireland qualify for the 2015 World Cup.

Twenty20 International Performance of the Year
Umar Gul

Umar Gul took 5 wickets for 6 runs when Pakistan played South Africa in Centurion.

T20I Women's Cricketer of the Year
Sarah Taylor

Spirit of Cricket Award
Mahela Jayawardene

Mahela Jayawardene won the Spirit of Cricket award for walking after being caught behind on 91 at a crucial juncture of the Galle Test against New Zealand.

Umpire of the Year (winning the David Shepherd Trophy)
Richard Kettleborough

England's Richard Kettleborough, only two years in the Elite Panel, and 4 years after his international debut.

LG People’s Choice
MS Dhoni

ICC Test Team of the Year
Alastair Cook (Eng) (captain)
Cheteshwar Pujara (Ind)
Hashim Amla (SA)
Michael Clarke (Aus)
Michael Hussey (Aus)
AB de Villiers (SA)
MS Dhoni (Ind) (wk)
Graeme Swann (Eng)
Dale Steyn (SA)
James Anderson (Eng)
Vernon Philander (SA)
12th Man – Ravichandran Ashwin (Ind)

ICC ODI Team of the Year
Tillakaratne Dilshan (SL)
Shikhar Dhawan (Ind)
Hashim Amla (SA)
Kumar Sangakkara (SL)
AB de Villiers (SA)
MS Dhoni (Ind, wk, captain)
Ravindra Jadeja (Ind)
Saeed Ajmal (Pak)
Mitchell Starc (Aus)
James Anderson (Eng)
Lasith Malinga (SL)
12th Man - Mitchell McClenaghan (NZ)

The South Africans may not have won any individual accolades, but they were selected in the Test and ODI team of the year. Congratulations, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander.

Proteas Rock the Rankings

Although the South Africans were aiming for a series whitewash over India, the last One Day International ended as a no result after the Proteas. The Proteas had set India a target of 302 runs to win. Unfortunately a storm and persistent rain halted everything. After the interval, not a single ball was bowled by the Proteas.

Besides the match not ending the way we'd hoped, the Proteas made sure they re-arranged the rankings. On a sad note though, the Proteas remain 5th on the rankings despite winning the series 2-0.

Let's squeeze Ishant Sharma in here somewhere. Sharma claimed his 100th ODI wicket from 70 matches with best figures of 4-38.

Quinton de Kock scored his 4th century, making it his 3rd against India. His top 4 highest scores, all centuries, came in his last two ODI Series against Pakistan and India. That was also de Kock's 3rd consecutive century and he joined AB de Villiers, Herschelle Gibbs as the 3rd South African to score 3 consecutive centuries.

In ODIs after 16 matches, de Kock leap frogged his fellow South African batsmen to first place with 741 runs.

At the end of it all he was Man of the Series and moved 61 places to number 14 in the ODI rankings.

AB de Villiers scored his 16th ODI century, his 3rd against India. De Villiers knocked Virat Kohli for the No. 1 spot in the ODI rankings. He became the third South African to top both the ICC test and ODI batting rankings in the latest list released on Thursday.

Dale Steyn also moved up the bowling rankings. He moved up to 2nd place in the ODI rankings, with Lonwabo Tsotsobe in 8th place and Morne Morkel 9th.

Ryan McLaren entered into the top 20 of the bowlers rankings. He is also South Africa's leading wicket-taker in 2013 with 45 dismissals.

Proteas Win and Lead Series 2-0

Once again I graced Sahara Kingsmead Stadium with my presence to watch the 2nd ODI between South Africa and India.

A wet outfield caused a delayed start at Kingsmead. The match was rescheduled to start at 11:30. India won the toss and chose to bowl. Due to the delayed start, the playing conditions were revised. The match was reduced to 49 overs per side with the powerplays remaining the same.

After the passing of Nelson Mandela, the tour dedicated to him and before the start of the match Archbishop Njongo Ndungane and AB de Villiers spoke about Madiba.

There was a moment of silence in honour of our late former president Nelson Mandela who passed away last Thursday.

"Nelson Mandela was God's instrument of peace," said Archbishop Njongo Ndungane.

Once you speak about Madiba Magic, it carries you home. And that is exactly what the Proteas did. From the start of the match until the last person was dismissed, they were in it to win it.

The Proteas couldn't have wished for a better start. De Kock and Amla behind it all once again. Amla reached the fastest 4 000 ODI runs. Amla and de Kock passed their previous 152 run partnership and together they recorded the highest 1st wicket partnership at Kingsmead, beating 170 runs by A. Gilchrist and M. Hayden in 2001-2002.

De Kock continued his good form as he went on to score another century. Making it his 3rd overall and 2nd against India. A few overs later Amla got his century, making it his 12th and 3rd against India. Unfortunately, their 194 run partnership ends with the dismissal of de Kock in the 35th over.

The Proteas finished their 49 overs with 280-6, with India needing 281 runs to win. Mohammed Shami was the pick of the Indian bowlers, claiming 3 wickets for 48 runs.

India could've had a better start. After 10 overs they could only manage 35 runs with the loss of 4 wickets.

A slight drizzle at the stadium could've caused the umpires to take the players off the field. However, they didn't. Raina was the only top scorer for India, scoring 36 runs.

Unfortunately the Proteas dismissed India for 141 runs in 35.1 overs. India were all out with the first ball of the batting poweplay. Tsotsobe claimed 4 wickets while Steyn took 3 wickets.

The Proteas won by 134 runs and won the series. Again de Kock was named Man of the Match for scoring 106 runs and taking 4 catches. At the rate he's going, he might also win Man of the Series.

At the stadium, one of the Indian supporters had a poster written 'WORLD CHAMPIONS v WORLD CHOKERS'. I think that supporter left with his tail tucked between his legs.

The 3rd and final ODI will take place on 11 December at SuperSport Park, in Centurion at 13:30.

Do I sense a WHITEWASH?