Anderson wins England player of the year award

LONDON (AFP): James Anderson was named England’s cricketer of the year for 2011/12 at a ceremony at Lord’s here on Monday.

The Lancashire seamer saw off competition from fellow nominees Stuart Broad and Alastair Cook for an award voted for by the English cricket media.

The award recognises outstanding performances in all formats of international cricket over the past year beginning with last year’s domestic international program and encompassing the recent winter tours.

Anderson, who is currently the number three ranked bowler in the ICC’s Test rankings, enjoyed an impressive 12 months with England which saw him take his 250th Test wicket and rise to fifth on the list of England’s all-time wicket-takers in Test cricket.

The 29-year-old Lancashire seamer, who is set to lead England’s attack in the first Test against the West Indies starting at Lord’s on Thursday, said of his award, “I am flattered to win this award and would like to thank everyone who voted for me.

“I have been pleased with my performances over the last year and was delighted with the way I bowled on the recent tour of Sri Lanka – but I take even greater pleasure from being part of such a successful England team.”

In 2011 England rose to number one in the ICC’s Test rankings, a position they retained despite losing four out of five Tests against Pakistan and Sri Lanka during their (northern hemisphere) winter tour.