Given his bowling record over the past 12 months, off-spinner Graeme Swann has been named a well deserved winner of the ECB’s Cricketer of the Year.
He’s had an incredible year with England’s Ashes win against Australia, an ICC World Twenty20 Cup Championship and personal victories such as being named third in ICC test bowling rankings, and taking 99 wickets in just 45 matches for England since May 2009.
Swann was named winner over other nominees Andrew Strauss, Jimmy Anderson, Stuart Broad, and Paul Collingwood. This honor comes ten years after Swann debuted with England in 2000 against South Africa and at 31 and the pinnacle of his career, we hope to see even more out of him for both Nottinghamshire and England.
“I am absolutely delighted to win this award. It’s been a magical year for me with so many high points. I love playing for England and hope this award can be a stepping stone for even greater things, both personally and as part of a successful England team. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my team-mates for the support they’ve given me on and off the field over the last year. As I’m sure you can see from the pictures on TV we work hard as a team and take real pleasure in each other’s successes. The atmosphere and bond we have in the dressing-room at the moment makes winning that much sweeter.”
-Graeme Swann
And off the pitch, Graeme is an incredibly likable guy who gives fans a laugh with his often hilarious twitter updates, usually referencing hijinks with teammates Jimmy Anderson and Tim Bresnan.
I’m very happy for the man, and I’m very happy that his use of zinc lip block has seemingly subsided. Twas no bueno.
