The Hindu : Sport : <I>Wisden</I> hails Flintoff as world's best

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 12, 2006

Sport

Sport

Wisden hails Flintoff as world's best

P. Subramanyam

London: Wisden has named Andrew Flintoff the `Leading Cricketer of the World' for 2005.

Flintoff is the third recipient of the award, the previous two being Shane Warne and Ricky Ponting.

The 28-year-old, who edged out Warne, said, "I'm pleased to have been given the 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."

Ponting, fellow Australian Brett Lee, England's Matthew Hoggard, Simon Jones and Kevin Pietersen, were named `Cricketers of the Year'.

The almanac's editor, Matthew Engel, said that only Flintoff and Warne had been in the running for the top award.

"Flintoff and Warne are shown embracing after the Ashes series (on the front cover of the 2006 Wisden to be published on Wednesday) but one is just a fraction above the other, it was that close in the final selection.

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

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