Smith ICC's best

Australia captain Steve Smith has been named ICC cricketer of the year for 2015, the sport's Dubai-based governing body revealed on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old finished the year, which runs from September to September, as the leading Test run-scorer with 1,734 runs from 25 innings, averaging 82.57.

He also became the second youngest player to reach the number one ranking for Test batsmen behind Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar.

He was also adjudged the Test cricketer of the year.

"Given that there are so many great players around the world, I'm incredibly honoured to receive these awards," said Smith in a statement released by the ICC.

South Africa's ODI captain AB de Villiers was named ODI player of the year while his teammate and T20I captain Faf du Plessis won the award for the T20 performance of the year for his 56-ball 119 against West Indies in Johannesburg in January.

De Villiers scored 1,265 runs in 20 innings averaging just over 79.

De Villiers broke the record for the fastest ODI century of all time, managing the feat off just 31 balls, five fewer than previous record-holder Corey Anderson of New Zealand.

Like Smith, though, De Villiers had mixed feelings about his season.

"It's certainly been a memorable year with many highlights but a lot of disappointments as well," he said.

Australia's women's captain Meg Lanning won the women's ODI cricketer of the year award with Stafanie Taylor of West Indies taking the T20I honour. 

AWARDS LIST
ICC Cricketer of the Year (Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy): Steven Smith
Test Cricketer of the Year: Steven Smith
ODI Cricketer of the Year: AB de Villiers
Women's ODI Cricketer of the Year: Meg Lanning
Women's T20I Cricketer of the Year: Stafanie Taylor
T20I Performance of the Year: Faf du Plessis
Emerging Cricketer of the Year: Josh Hazlewood
Associate/Affiliate Cricketer of the Year: Khurram Khan
Spirit of Cricket Award: Brendon McCullum
Umpire of the Year (David Shepherd Trophy): Richard Kettleboroug