Hussey named ODI Player of the Year

Michael Hussey: 'I need to pinch myself' © Getty Images

Michael Hussey, the Australia batsman, has been named the ODI Player of the Year at the annual ICC Awards in Mumbai following a remarkable 12 months in one-day cricket.

"I'm very, very shocked and honoured. I can't believe it - I need to pinch myself," Hussey said after receiving the award from Tony Greig, the former England captain. "Being a little older when I broke through to the team I definitely haven't taken anything for granted. I play each game as if it's my last but I just love playing cricket for Australia. I really enjoy coming in when the team is in a bit of trouble and trying to rescue the situation, batting with the lower order.

"The guys were very disappointed to lose the Ashes and it has been a big thing for us to win it back. But we have had a lot of cricket to think about before then, not least Sunday's ICC Champions Trophy final. We are completely focused on that first, and then we will think about trying to regain the Ashes."

Hussey, known by his team-mates as Mr Cricket, played 25 one-dayers during the voting period, scoring 769 runs at an average of 64.80. He beat off competition from Ricky Ponting, his captain, India's Yuvraj Singh and Mahela Jayawardene of Sri Lanka to secure the award.

"I'd like to thank my family and my team-mates who I love playing for," he said. "It's a great feeling to win this award, especially when I think of the quality of the other nominees."

Percy Sonn, the ICC president, commented: "On behalf of the ICC I would like to congratulate Michael on winning this award. Michael's enthusiasm and exciting batting style has thrilled crowds and television audiences alike and in a very short space of time has made him one of Australia's most influential players."