‘Amazed’ Cummins wins prestigious trophy
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Australia captain Pat Cummins has been rewarded for a stellar season, named the 2023 ICC men’s cricketer of the year.
Cummins led his side to victory over India in the World Test Championship, retained the Ashes in England, claimed an ODI World Cup win and defeated Pakistan in their Test series over summer.
The 30-year-old now has the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy as well.
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“It’s a huge honour. It’s been a big year with lots of wonderful team success,” Cummins told the ICC on Thursday night.
“To get this individual honour is huge. Pretty amazed actually.
“In terms of an individual accolade, it’s right up there and really special.”
Cummins edged out fellow Australian Travis Head for the honour, as well as India’s Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja.
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“All the other nominees had fantastic years as well. Trav (Head) as a teammate, saw him win the World Test Championship in the final and in the World Cup final, where he’s man of the match in both of them,” he said.
”(Ravindra) Jadeja and (Virat) Kohli are both super consistent. There’s games where you can’t keep them out of it, they find a way to drag their team out of trouble and win it for them.
“To be alongside those guys has been really special.”
Despite still being at the peak of his powers, Cummins reflected on the “moment” he believes will be his favourite to remember when it’s time to hang up the boots.
“You can’t go past the (2023) World Cup final,” Cummins said.
“I think that’s going to be that one moment that once it’s all done, the career’s finished, I’m going to look back (on it) as a career highlight.”
The honour for Cummins comes after teammate and opening batsman Usman Khawaja was named the ICC men’s Test cricketer of the year.
Australia will resume day two of the second Test against the West Indies at the Gabba with the visitors sitting on 8-266.
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