Vaughan lands ICC award

10 September 2007 | By Justin Goulding

Michael Vaughan's fine return to Test cricket was recognised by the panel © Getty Images

Michael Vaughan capped a fine comeback year by being named in the World Test Team of the Year at the prestigious International Cricket Council awards.

The England Test captain put an injury-plagued 18 months behind him to make a century against West Indies on his return to the side in May.

He also hit a hundred in the second npower Test against India, and scored 493 runs at an average of 61 in the year up to August 8 - the 12-month period upon which performances were judged.

Vaughan was included in a team featuring four Australia players - Ricky Ponting, Matthew Hayden, Mike Hussey and Stuart Clark - at a glittering awards ceremony in Johannesburg.

Vaughan earned the respect of Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara, who was also named in the Test side.

“To come back from a career-threatening injury is very impressive, particularly the way he has come back by scoring all the runs he has done,” said Sangakkara.

“It’s very special what he has done and shows what a class act he is and we’re looking forward to seeing him touring Sri Lanka in the winter.”

Kevin Pietersen made the World One-day International Team of the Year but lost out to Ponting for the Cricketer of the Year prize and Mohammad Yousuf in the Test Player of the Year category.

Pietersen was recognised for scoring 800 runs in 21 games at an average of 44 in the qualifying period.

England all-rounder Ravi Bopara was beaten to the Emerging Player of the Year award - won by Pietersen 12 months ago and Ian Bell in 2005 - by Australia fast bowler Shaun Tait.

There was also disappointment for England’s Claire Taylor, who saw Jhulan Goswami of India pick up the Women’s Cricketer of the Year gong.

World Test Team of the Year

Matthew Hayden (Aus)
Michael Vaughan (Eng)
Ricky Ponting (Aus, captain)
Mohammad Yousuf (Pak)
Kevin Pietersen (Eng)
Michael Hussey (Aus)
Kumar Sangakkara (SL, wicket-keeper)
Stuart Clark (Aus)
Makhaya Ntini (SA)
Mohammad Asif (Pak)
Muttiah Muralidaran (SL)
12th man: Zaheer Khan (Ind)

World ODI Team of the Year

Matthew Hayden (Aus)
Sachin Tendulkar (Ind)
Ricky Ponting (Aus, captain)
Kevin Pietersen (Eng)
Shivnarine Chanderpaul (WI)
Jacques Kallis (SA)
Mark Boucher (SA, wicket-keeper)
Chaminda Vaas (SL)
Shane Bond (NZ)
Muttiah Muralidaran (SL)
Glenn McGrath (Aus)
12th man: Mike Hussey (Aus)

The teams were chosen by the ICC’s specially appointed selection panel, chairmed by former India captain Sunil Gavaskar and including Chris Cairns, the former New Zealand all-rounder, ex-South Africa batsman Gary Kirsten, Iqbal Qasim, the former Pakistan left-arm spinner, and ex-England captain Alec Stewart.