K Jay

Andrew Flintoff has beaten his great Ashes rival Shane Warne to the Wisden accolade of Leading Cricketer of the World for 2005.

Flintoff, already last year's BBC Sports Personality of the Year and an MBE in the New Year's Honours List, can add Wisden's award to his collection in recognition of his remarkable contribution to England's unexpected Test series victory over Australia.

The all-rounder is the third winner of an award invested from 2003 onwards and previously won by Warne and Australia captain Ricky Ponting.

When the 2006 Wisden is published tomorrow the front cover will feature a photograph of Flintoff and Warne - while their fellow Ashes combatants Matthew Hoggard, Simon Jones and Kevin Pietersen from England an Australia's Brett Lee and Ponting make up the almanac's choice as the five cricketers of the year.

Wisden editor Matthew Engel explained Flintoff and world record-breaking leg-spinner Warne were the only runners in the race to be named last year's best cricketer on the planet.

"Our cover picture sums up the year as we saw it,'' said Engel.

"Flintoff and Warne are shown embracing after the Ashes series - but the one is just a fraction above the other.

"We felt in the end that 2005 was the year when 'Freddie' touched greatness.''

Flintoff, who is captaining England in their ongoing tour of India, said: "I'm pleased to have been given this award.

"It's very humbling and obviously a great honour.

"The last 12 months have been fantastic for English cricket and I'm looking forward to building on that success.''



Before you comment Eric I'd make sure you have skittled the Bangladishis.

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thirty7

Haha, the Bangladesh game is embarassing and the reason is simple. Our selectors have gone back on their words. Gone are the promising inclusions of Hodge, Symonds and Watson and in are Martyn, Clarke and Gillespie. (Granted Dizzy is bowling well). I hope the Bangladeshis beat us now, so that the selectors can fix the Martyn mistake.

Back on topic. I'm a big fan of Freddie Flintoff, without doubt. But i sincerely believe Warne was robbed not only of this award but also of the Man of the Ashes award. Without a doubt he was the best player of last year and that series really belonged to him.

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Tyler Durden

I think it's deserved for last year, but to be honest there were a lot more very good candidates than in previous years. Any one of three or four guys could have got it.

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K Jay

Like the entire Ashes themselves this all came down to what happened on the last afternoon of the series. If you'd have skittled us and retained I have no doubt Warne would have got it. As it was with us regaining the spoils go to the victors. To be 100% honest I would not have been able to split them.

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Tyler Durden

Nobody that drops the catch that loses the Ashes should win anything BWAHAHAHAHA.............

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thirty7

That still hurts
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I wish my sex life was like ECW, first you get a One Night Stand followed by 2 months of nostalgic orgasms and then 6 months of constant sucking.

Tyler Durden

Ah get over it. He's the best cricketer I've ever seen and will probably be ending his career by getting them back later this year

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A throne is just a bench wrapped in velvet

thirty7

Not if our selectors keep picking has-been players

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I wish my sex life was like ECW, first you get a One Night Stand followed by 2 months of nostalgic orgasms and then 6 months of constant sucking.

Tyler Durden

You'll get it back, trust me. The good times never last too long for England in sport!!

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A throne is just a bench wrapped in velvet