SHANE WATSON WINS 2010 ALLAN BORDER MEDAL

16/02/2010

Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has capped off an incredibly year by winning the Allan Border Medal as Australia’s most outstanding cricketer. Watson, who was also named One Day International player of the year, polled 125 votes ahead of Michael Clarke (90) and Mitchell Johnson (87) for the top honour.

Playing only nine of the 14 Tests in the voting period, Watson missed the Test series in South Africa and the first two Ashes matches against England, but that wasn’t enough to stop the powerful all-rounder who stormed home to collect the points needed to win the award.

An emotional Watson accepted the honour at a black tie function in Melbourne last night.

"It's been an awesome ride and it's very overwhelming actually to receive this award," Watson said. "For me this summer has been something I have only ever dreamed of.

"To get the opportunity that I did during the Ashes was something I looked forward to, to put my hand up and put in some good performances and to be able to continue that through this summer has been something as I said I have only ever dreamed of."

The Medal was based on player, umpire and media votes for Tests and one-day internationals from February 4 last year to last Friday. There were 14 Tests and 42 one dayers in the voting period, so the Test votes had a greater weighting for each player's Border Medal total.

Watson won the one-day award with 33 votes, eight clear of Michael Hussey, while Katich polled 11 to beat Johnson in the Test award by one vote.

AB Honour Roll

2000 Glenn McGrath
2001 Steve Waugh
2002 Matthew Hayden
2003 Adam Gilchrist
2004 Ricky Ponting
2005 Michael Clarke
2006 Ricky Ponting
2007 Ricky Ponting
2008 Brett Lee
2009 Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke
2010 Shane Watson

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