Ponting named Captain of the Year

Australia's Ricky Ponting was named as the Captain of the Year at the ICC Awards in Johannesburg.

Ponting displayed impressive leadership qualities during the voting period, leading his side to a series of triumphs including the Champions Trophy and the World Cup, as well as regaining the Ashes from England. Between August 9, 2006 and August 8, 2007, Ponting captained his side in five Test matches, winning all of them, and 28 ODIs, winning 24 and losing just three (there was one no-result).

"A captain is only as good as the team of players he has around him and I am very lucky that I have a great group of guys around me and they make captaining a side easy," Ponting said. "It is an honour to be here to collect this award. Winning trophies is what playing for Australia is about and I have been very fortunate to be part of a side that has done that in recent years."

Ponting beat off strong competition from last year's winner Mahela Jayawardene, who had been nominated on the short-list again this year. He received the award from former West Indies captain Brian Lara.

The Captain of the Year Award is not necessarily about recognising the most successful leader in terms of results; it is also intended to reward the player who has displayed excellent tactical awareness, has best fulfilled obligations to the game as set out by the ICC and the Laws of Cricket and has best demonstrated the Spirit of Cricket during the voting period.