Pat Cummins emulates Michael Clarke in Australian cricket honour not seen in 12 years

Pat Cummins has been recognised for his recent success in leading Australia to a World Test Championship and ODI World Cup in the same year with one of cricket’s ultimate awards. The Aussie skipper has been named cricket bible Wisden’s leading cricketer in the world, becoming the first Australian since Michael Clarke 12 years ago to receive the honour.

Cummins' award is recognition for an outstanding 2023 that included retaining the Ashes in England, with his match-winning knock at Edgbaston a crucial part in doing that. The Australian captain dethroned English counterpart Ben Stokes - who has won the prestigious title three times in the last four years - as the 'cricket bible's top cricketer in the world. The Cricketer of the Year award is the oldest individual award in the sport, dating back to 1889, with selection primarily based on performances in the previous English summer.

Aussie batsman Travis Head was also recognised for the year's best performance in Test matches winning the Wisden Trophy for Test performance of the year. Editor Lawrence Booth described his 163 off just 174 balls against India in the World Championship final as "pulsating" and said it helped Australia take control of the final.

While Usman Khawaja, Mitchell Starc and Ashleigh Gardner were all among the top five cricketers of the year. Head won the Wisden Trophy for Test performance of the year. Gardner was the sole player from the Women's Ashes chosen.

"Having been player of the tournament as Australia won the T20 World Cup in South Africa, Ashleigh Gardner enjoyed a central role in their retention of the Ashes, helping them to victory in the Test match at Trent Bridge with 12 wickets for her off-breaks – the second-best analysis in women's Test history," Booth wrote.

Usman Khawaja and Mitchell Starc receive recognition for Ashes heroics

While Cummins received the main accolade, the editor was also full of praise for both Starc and Khawaja. "Usman Khawaja was a thorn in the side of England's bowlers throughout the Ashes, facing 1263 balls and scoring 496 runs, in each case the highest tally of the series," he wrote.

"Without his double of 141 and 65 at Edgbaston, where he batted on all five days, Australia might not have retained the urn." Booth also added that Starc's wickets were instrumental in Australia retaining the Ashes.

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"Mitchell Starc took more wickets in the Ashes – 23 – than anyone, despite missing the opening game. His pair of three-fors helped win the Second Test at Lord's, and he bowled beautifully to take seven wickets at Headingley and eight at The Oval."

Away from the distinct Aussie flavour of this year's Widen awards, England Test duo Mark Wood and Harry Brook were also recognised. While the women's award for leading cricketer went to Nat Sciver-Brunt - the first Englishwoman to win an award previously dominated by Australians.

with agencies