McCullum picks up special ICC award

He’s won acclaim the world over and now Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum has been honoured by an ICC Spirit of Cricket Award.

McCullum, who announced on Monday he plans to retire from international cricket in February after the two-test series with Australia, was given the award for “inspiring his side to play the game in its true spirit”.

“This was clearly evident throughout the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, and in particular in the semifinal where McCullum showed humility and exemplary sportsmanship by inviting [South Africa captain AB] de Villiers and his side to the New Zealand’s dressing room after a closely fought match,” the ICC said.

“It does take a buy-in from the entire team and the rest of the Black Caps squad needs to be recognised for this as well,” McCullum said.

Australia captain Steve Smith was named test player and cricketer of the year, beating off strong competition from the likes of New Zealand batsman Kane Williamson. De Villiers was awarded the best one-day international player for 2015 for the second year running.

Smith is the seventh player to be awarded both test and cricketer of the year. Australians Michael Clarke (2013) and Mitchell Johnson (2014) also won both.

Smith was the leading run-scorer in tests with 1734 runs in 25 innings at an average of 82.57, including seven centuries during the voting period from September 2014 to September 2015.

Other winners included Josh Hazlewood (emerging player), Meg Lanning (women’s ODI player), Richard Kettleborough (umpire) and Stafanie Taylor (women’s T20 player).