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| Freddie - best in the World http://www.bbfans.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=25470 |
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| Author: | Northern Monkey [ 11 Apr 06, 12:41 ] |
| Post subject: | Freddie - best in the World |
England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff has been named Leading Cricketer of the World for 2005 by Wisden. The 28-year-old, who was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year last year for his Ashes heroics, edged out Australian Shane Warne to the accolade. "I'm pleased to have been given the award," said Flintoff. "It's very humbling and obviously a great honour. "The last 12 months have been fantastic for English cricket and I'm looking forward to building on that success." Flintoff, England's stand-in captain in India in the absence of Michael Vaughan and Marcus Trescothick, is the third recipient of Wisden's award. Warne and Ricky Ponting are the previous two winners. Ponting and his Australia team-mate Brett Lee were on also on Tuesday named among Wisden's five cricketers of the year, a list which also included England trio Matthew Hoggard, Simon Jones and Kevin Pietersen. Wisden editor Matthew Engel revealed only Flintoff and Warne had been in the running for the top award for the 143rd edition of the cricket bible. He explained: "Flintoff and Warne are shown embracing after the Ashes series [on the front cover of the 2006 Wisden published on Wednesday] - but one is just a fraction above the other. "We felt in the end that 2005 was the year when Freddie touched greatness." Flintoff scored a total of 402 runs during the Ashes series - at an average of 40.20 - and took 24 wickets in the five-Test series at 27.29 apiece. Pietersen was delighted with his honour adding: "It's a fantastic achievement and it's good for Simon and Hoggy as well, so hats off to those boys. "Hopefully we can make it a really great all-round next 12 months." BBC |
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| Author: | JimD [ 11 Apr 06, 12:59 ] |
| Post subject: | Aussie Version: Flintoff pips Warne for award |
FoxSports April 11, 2006 ENGLAND'S Andrew Flintoff has pipped Shane Warne to the honour of Wisden's Cricketer of the World for 2005. In the new edition, to be published tomorrow, the cricketing bible reserved its honours to players from last year's epic Ashes series. Flintoff just edged out Warne for Cricketer of the World in a poll of cricket writers and commentators. He is the first non-Australian to take the honour – only instituted two years ago – after Ricky Ponting and Warne. In the more traditional honour of the five cricketers of the year – which has been awarded since 1889 – the nod went to England's Kevin Pietersen, Simon Jones and Matthew Hoggard plus Australia's Ponting and Brett Lee. No player can be chosen twice for that honour. A photograph of Flintoff and Warne grace the cover of the new Wisden, illustrating just how close their race for the top honour was and also recognising the 2005 Ashes which it named as the greatest ever series. "There were only two people in it," editor Matthew Engel said. "Flintoff and Warne are shown embracing after the Ashes series – but the one is just a fraction above the other. "We felt in the end that 2005 was the year when 'Freddie' touched greatness." Flintoff, who is captaining England in their ongoing tour of India, said: "I'm pleased to have been given this award. "It's very humbling and obviously a great honour. "The last 12 months have been fantastic for English cricket and I'm looking forward to building on that success." AAP |
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