The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the winners of the annual awards for 2023 as Australian skipper Pat Cummins received the top honour for Cricketer of the Year. Cummins, who led Australia to the ICC ODI World Cup and the World Test Championship (WTC) triumph, saw off challenges from close mates Travis Head and Virat Kohli. However, Virat’s consolation came in the form of ICC ODI Player of the Year where he had a special year, helping India to the runners-up crown in the World Cup held in his own backyard.

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Cummins named Player of the Year

After staging some monumental performances throughout 2023, Cummins was announced as the winner of the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for the ICC Men’s Cricketer on Thursday (Jan 25). Winning the WTC and ODI World Cup final were the highlight reels of the year for Cummins, who also defended the Ashes for Australia despite facing a resolute England team renowned for the Bazball. The achievement was made impressive after holding out for a 2-2 draw in England’s own backyard during the Ashes.

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In 24 matches throughout the year, he scalped 59 wickets and scored 422 runs and played an important role during Australia’s important win against England in the Birmingham Test during the Ashes. He signed off the year with a 10-wicket haul against Pakistan in the Boxing Day Test.

Virat Kohli wins ODI Player of the Year

One of the best players of his generation, Virat scored 763 runs during the 11 matches at the ODI World Cup. He was awarded Player of the Tournament as he helped India reach the final of the prestigious tournament. However, he failed to lead India to the title despite having a home advantage. On nine occasions during the World Cup, he scored fifty-plus scores and broke Sachin Tendulkar’s record for most ODI hundreds.

India’s Suryakumar Yadav was named ICC T20 Player of the Year for his memorable performance with the bat. The Mumbai Indians player won the prize for the second consecutive year having also won the top honour in 2022 when India were knocked out in the semifinal of the T20 World Cup.

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