Lee wins Border medal

Brett Lee waits for the announcement © Getty Images

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Brett Lee has capped off a memorable year by winning his first Allan Border Medal at Melbourne's Crown Palladium.

Elevated to the role of Australia's number one fast bowler following the retirement of Glenn McGrath after last year’s World Cup, Lee’s performances earned him both the award, which is named after the former Australian skipper, and also Test Player of the Year.

Lee polled a combined total of 125 votes for his efforts in the Test and one-day arena to take home the AB Medal ahead of Matthew Hayden (107) and skipper Ricky Ponting (64).

And in voting following Australia's six Tests against Sri Lanka (November) and India (December and January), Lee polled 12 votes to again edge out Hayden (seven), with Ponting, Stuart Clark, Michael Clarke, Phil Jaques and Andrew Symonds all tying for third on three votes.

Having missed out on those two awards, there was recognition for Hayden's brilliant return to the limited overs ranks with the One-Day International Player of the Year gong.

The Queenslander polled 24 votes to beat Ponting (19), with Clarke, Gilchrist and McGrath five votes further back.

But after missing last year's World Cup after an ankle injury he suffered in New Zealand robbed him of a place in the team as Australia claimed its third successive title, it was Lee who scooped the top honour.

After returning from injury, the 31-year-old quick spearheaded Australia to a 3-2 win in the seven-match one-day series in India before helping the host nation win the two-Test series against Sri Lanka 2-0, the Chappell Hadlee Trophy 2-0 and the four-Test series against India 2-1.

Seam bowler Lee is congratulated by Allan Border

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Lee follows in the footsteps of three-time winner Ponting and previous medallists McGrath, Steve Waugh, Hayden, Gilchrist and Clarke.

"I'm very happy, very pleased, very shocked and all those in the same sentence, but (I'm) really, really humbled by it all," said Lee, who claimed 40 wickets in the summer's six Tests.

"To actually win this award means so much to me and also to my family.

"I looked at Allan Border as being a hero growing up; I know that he's a batsman and I'm a bowler but to be standing up there tonight and to accept the Allan Border Medal is something that I'll remember for the rest of my life.

“I'm really humbled by it all; I'm really proud as I said. It's been a great season for us, and I've been really proud of the way I've bowled.

“Even to be mentioned in the same sentence as those fantastic players, players that I've actually watched growing up on TV...(I'm) very pleased."

In other awards presented, Lisa Sthalekar was named women's International Player of the Year for the second summer in succession, Queensland’s Ashley Noffke took State player of the year and Western Australia’s Luke Pomersbach was named Bradman young cricketer of the year.