Sangakkara named ICC Cricketer and Test Player of the Year

Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara was named the Cricketer of the Year besides getting the best Test player honour at the International Cricket Council (ICC) Awards here on Saturday.

In 14 Tests, he compiled 1,444 runs at an average of 60.16, including five centuries and five half-centuries. In addition, he played 37 ODIs, hitting 1,457 runs at an average of 42.85, with three centuries and nine half-centuries. In that time he has also proven himself to be the best ODI wicket-keeper with 42 dismissals.

The voting academy selected Sangakkara ahead of South Africa duo Hashim Amla and Vernon Philander as well as Australia's Michael Clarke.

Sangakkara accepted the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy from ICC president Alan Isaac and was clearly thrilled to win his second accolade of the night, having won the Test Cricketer of the Year.

"This is an amazing honour and I've seen the people who have won it before me and the nominees too, to be named alongside them is wonderful. It's great to be amongst them but now to receive this honour this evening, is simply fantastic.

Sangakkara received the Test Cricketer award from batting legend Brian Lara in front of his home crowd.