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
