Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara named Wisden Cricketer of the Year for 2014

Kumar Sangakkara

Sri Lanka great Kumar Sangakkara has been honoured with the Cricketer of the Year in the 2015 edition of the prestigious Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack. He has become only the second cricketer after India’s Virender Sehwag to be bestowed with the award twice. Sehwag was named the leading cricketer in the world in 2008 and 2009.

Sangakkara, who earlier earned recognition in 2011, had a brilliant 2014 making an unprecedented 2,868 runs in international cricket across all 3 formats, including a triple century against Bangladesh in Tests.

One of the most memorable moments for the 37-year-old in the past year would undoubtedly have been winning the man of the match in the World T20 final against India, thereby helping the Lankans break their longish jinx of falling short at the final hurdle.

During the recently concluded World Cup, he further enhanced his reputation as one of the all-time greats, becoming the first batsman to score 4 consecutive centuries in ODI cricket.

In a tribute to Sangakkara, who is retiring from all formats of international cricket later this year, Wisden editor Lawrence Booth said: "Choosing (him) just felt natural. And his four consecutive hundreds at the World Cup confirmed we'd chosen the right man.

"We'll miss him when he's gone."

Wisden's five cricketers of the year are Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews, Moeen Ali, Gary Ballance, Adam Lyth and Jeetan Patel, the latter two being recognised for their performances in the 2014 county season. It is an award dating back to 1889 and is generally based on a player's performances in the preceding English season, with no player being allowed to win the award on more than one occasion.

Meanwhile, Australia’s Meg Lanning has been chosen as the Leading Woman Cricketer in the World — the first time that the England-based annual has bestowed such an award in 152 editions of continuous publication dating back to 1864.

Lanning, who became the youngest person ever to captain Australia at the age of 21, led her side to the World T20 title and finished 2014 at the top of both the women's One-Day International and T20 batting rankings.?