Australian Captain Pat Cummins named ICC Cricketer of the Year for 2023

In a noteworthy announcement on Thursday, Australia’s cricket captain, Pat Cummins, emerged as the ICC men’s cricketer of the year for 2023. His outstanding performance as a fast bowler played a pivotal role in leading Australia to triumph in both the Cricket World Cup and the World Test Championship.

Cummins, who secured an impressive 42 wickets across 11 test matches in 2023, joins the ranks of esteemed Australian cricketers such as Ricky Ponting, Mitchell Johnson, Michael Clarke, and Steve Smith, who have previously clinched the prestigious men’s award. Additionally, Cummins showcased his prowess in one-day internationals, claiming 17 wickets in 13 matches, including crucial performances in the World Cup semifinals against South Africa and the final against India in Ahmedabad.

Expressing his gratitude for the recognition, Cummins stated, “It has been a big year, lots of wonderful team success. To get this individual honour is huge, and I am pretty amazed. In terms of individual accolades, it is right up there.” He also commended his fellow nominees, including teammate Travis Head, and Indian cricketers Ravindra Jadeja and Virat Kohli, highlighting their exceptional contributions to the sport.

Meanwhile, England’s all-rounder Nat Sciver-Brunt secured her second consecutive ICC women’s cricketer of the year award. Sciver-Brunt received the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, prevailing over fellow nominees Chamari Athapaththu of Sri Lanka and Australian duo Ash Gardner and Beth Mooney. Reflecting on her win, she expressed, “I wasn’t expecting it as I was coming up against some players that have done so well in 2023. I’m really pleased and pretty proud.”

Other notable winners included Cummins’ teammate Usman Khawaja, who claimed the men’s test cricketer of the year award for being the sole batter to score over 1,000 test runs in 2023. Virat Kohli secured his fourth men’s ODI award, having scored 1,377 runs, including six centuries and eight half-centuries. Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu made history as the first female Sri Lankan cricketer to win an ICC award, being named the ODI cricketer of the year.