Vaughan Earns Plaudits As Ponting Pips Pietersen

Michael Vaughan's remarkable recovery from a career-threatening injury was marked by him receiving official recognition at his comeback during the International Cricket Council's Awards dinner.

Just a year after being told by doctors he was unlikely to play again following a recurrence of his long-standing knee problems, England Test captain Vaughan was named in the ICC's Test team of the year. It was an unexpected honour for Vaughan, who has scored two centuries since his return to Test cricket at the start of the summer and led England to a comprehensive series victory over West Indies.

But it was all more gratefully received and even opposition players highlighted his successful battle against injury to re-establish himself at the highest level. "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," enthused Sri Lanka wicketkeeper-batsman Kumar Sangakkara, who was also named in the Test side of the year. "It's very special what he's done and shows what a class act he is and we're looking forward to seeing him touring Sri Lanka in the winter."

Vaughan's recognition was the highlight of the evening for England on a night dominated by awards won by Australia after a year in which they have completed an Ashes whitewash and lifted the Champions Trophy and World Cup, the latter for a third successive time.

Captain Ricky Ponting, who became the first player to win the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for the ICC's Cricketer of the Year in successive years, also won the captain of the Year and was named skipper of both the Test and One-Day Team of the Year.

Matthew Hayden was also named One-Day Player of the Year after top-scoring during the recent World Cup but Ponting was denied a personal hat-trick when Mohammad Yousuf became the first Pakistan player to win the Test Player of the Year gong after averaging more than 90 during the qualifying period.

It added up to a disappointing night for England, who failed to win a single individual award despite being nominated in five separate categories.
Kevin Pietersen was included in both the Test and One-Day Team of the Year but missed out on both the Test and Cricketer of the Year awards.

Ravi Bopara also lost out to an Australian in the Emerging Player of the Year category, with Shaun Tait winning the award for his outstanding contribution to his country's World Cup success. Claire Taylor, nominated for the Women's Cricketer of the Year award, lost out to India's Jhulan Goswami and Mark Benson was also disappointed in the Umpire of Year category, which was won by Australia's Simon Taufel for the fourth successive year.