606v2 Cricket Awards 2011 - The Results.

Across the last three weeks you have all been voting on who you believe to be deserving of the 606v2 domestic and international cricketer of the year awards.

Thank you for your votes, and here are the results:


Domestic Cricketer of the Year 2011

After achieving a healthy 36% of the vote this award goes to Alastair Cook.

Spoiler:

Cook began 2011 with an outstanding 189 in the final Test of the Ashes series against Australia at Sydney, as England went on to wrap up the series and retain the little urn down under. Across that series, Cook scored an incredible 766 runs at an astronomical average of 127.

Upon returning from Australia it was time to play host to Sri Lanka at the beginning of the English summer. It was business as usual for Cook though, who went on to amass scores of 133, 96 and 106 and 55 in his four innings across that Test series. After yet another Test series win, the mighty India arrived on English shores, boasting a status of the number one Test side in the world. Cook, somewhat surprisingly after his recent heroics, suffered a severe dip in form at the beginning of this series, achieving consecutive scores of 12, 1, 2 and 5. Questions were beginning to re-surface about his ability to play against the swinging ball, though if anyone was going to be given a pass it was Cook, following his Don Bradman-esque returns in the past months. Unfortunately for India, Cook soon regained his form, and in some style. As the series moved on to Edgbaston for the third Test 'Chef' compiled an enormous 294, followed by 34 in the final Test at The Oval as England sealed a series whitewash and cemented themselves as the finest Test side in world cricket.

To complement his enormous success in the Test arena, Alastair was appointed 'Captain Cook' in May of 2011, as he took over the reins of the England One Day International team from Test captain Andrew Strauss. Despite this move being questioned by some that doubted Cook's ability to score at the required pace in the limited overs format, he went on to score 600 runs in the calendar year at a huge average of 73, including one century. Perhaps more impressive was Cook's demonstration that he could score at a more than healthy rate in ODI's, silencing any remaining critics in the process.

A magnificent year for the Essex man, and I'm sure you'll agree that Alastair Cook is a more than worthy winner of this award.

An honourable mention to 'the king of swing' James Anderson, who finished in second place with 25% of the vote.


International Cricketer of the Year 2011

Another category in which we have an emphatic winner - India's captain, wicket-keeper and star in all formats of the game, MS Dhoni.

Spoiler:

To emphasise just what a difficult job Dhoni has, he is the new poster boy of Indian cricket (Sachin Tendulkar has long since been elevated to demi-God status), along with shouldering the enormous responsibility that comes with captaining the biggest cricketing nation on Earth, and harbouring the hopes of over a billion cricket fanatics.

It wasn't a stellar year with the bat in Test cricket for Dhoni by any means, scoring 482 runs at an average of 28. Add to this his struggle behind the stumps during India's whitewash to England and you may have a few questioning Dhoni's claim to this award. It is easier to be lenient toward Dhoni than most, however, as he visibly strived to motivate an under-performing side full of some of the biggest names in world cricket, and was magnanimous as ever in defeat. Dhoni's crowning achievement however, took place earlier in 2011, leading India to World Cup glory with a tremendous match winning knock of 91 not out against Sri Lanka in the final.

It must be remembered that India rely heavily upon Dhoni in all formats of the game, the upshot being that his cricketing schedule is relentless throughout the year. Lesser men would have continued to fade and demanded a rest following the disastrous Test series against England, but Dhoni went on to lead from the front in the ensuing ODI series. Scores of 33, 6, 69, 78* and 50* reaffirmed Dhoni's status as one of the finest ODI batsmen of all time, and he again proved to be England's nemesis during another ODI series between the sides, this time held in India. 87*, 35*, 15* and 75* were Dhoni's returns, as an abject England side failed to dismiss MS even once. A blistering batsman when on form, and the finest 'finisher' in ODI cricket today, Dhoni had a fine end to 2011.

For his return to form following some early woes, and for staying in control throughout a tumultuous tour of England under the immense pressure of the Indian public and media, this is an award that MS Dhoni fully deserves; showing great skill, humility, determination and entertainment in equal measures throughout 2011.

Again, an honourable mention to Australia's 'Mr Cricket' Michael Hussey, who finished in second place with 15% of the vote.

Probably fair, would you say?

Fair enough although I'd have gone for Anderson for England.

However in your summary, you omit THE crowning achievement of Dhoni which was to win the WC (and produce the match-winning knock in the final)!

I voted for Anderson, but can see why Cooky got the nod, probably a bit of his success at the end of 2010 carrying over...

Thanks for pointing that out, shall add it in.