2017 ICC Awards

The 2017 ICC Awards were the fourteenth edition of the International Cricket Council's annual ceremony honoring outstanding achievements in international cricket from the voting period of 21 September 2016 to 31 December 2017.^[1] Organized by the ICC, the awards covered performances across Test, One Day International (ODI), and Twenty20 International (T20I) formats for both men's and women's cricket, including emerging players, associates, umpires, and special recognitions.^[1] The women's awards were announced on 21 December 2017, and the men's awards on 18 January 2018 through official ICC media releases and a ceremony in London, highlighting a period marked by major events such as the ICC Champions Trophy and the Women's Cricket World Cup.^[2][3] India's Virat Kohli dominated the men's categories, winning the prestigious Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Men's Cricketer of the Year for his 2,203 runs in Tests, 1,818 in ODIs, and 299 in T20Is, as well as the Men's ODI Cricketer of the Year award.^[2] He also captained both the ICC Men's Test Team of the Year and the ICC Men's ODI Team of the Year.^[4] In the women's section, Australia's Ellyse Perry claimed the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Award for ICC Women's Cricketer of the Year, recognized for her all-round contributions of over 1,000 runs and 52 wickets in international matches.^[1] Other key recipients included Australia's Steve Smith as Men's Test Cricketer of the Year for his 1,875 runs at an average of 78.12 in Tests, Pakistan's Hasan Ali as Emerging Men's Cricketer of the Year, and Afghanistan's Rashid Khan as Men's Associate Cricketer of the Year.^[1] New Zealand's Amy Satterthwaite won Women's ODI Cricketer of the Year, while Australia's Beth Mooney took both Women's T20I Cricketer of the Year and Emerging Women's Cricketer of the Year.^[1] South Africa's Marais Erasmus was named Umpire of the Year, and England's Anya Shrubsole received the Spirit of Cricket Award for her sportsmanship during the Women's World Cup final.^[1] Fans voted Pakistan's upset victory over India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 final as the ICC Fan's Moment of the Year, with India's Yuzvendra Chahal earning the Men's T20I Performance of the Year for his 6/25 against England.^[2]

Background

Ceremony Details

The 2017 ICC Awards were divided into separate announcements for the women's and men's categories, reflecting the logistical structure of recognizing performances from the calendar year. The women's awards were revealed on December 21, 2017, through an official press release issued by the International Cricket Council (ICC).^[5] The men's awards followed on January 18, 2018, with the announcement originating from the ICC's headquarters in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.^[6] This event highlighted key achievements in international cricket and drew attention from global media outlets.^[2] In terms of format, the women's honors were disseminated solely via press release without a physical gathering, allowing for immediate global dissemination of results. The men's announcement was made from the ICC's headquarters in Dubai through official media channels, with coverage emphasizing standout performers such as Virat Kohli and Steve Smith.^[7]

Voting and Eligibility

The voting for the 2017 ICC Awards considered player performances in international cricket matches spanning from September 21, 2016, to December 31, 2017, with an adjusted cutoff of November 21, 2017, for women's categories due to the absence of international fixtures thereafter.^[2][3] Eligibility was restricted to performances in international formats—Tests, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is)—excluding domestic or club-level cricket, with distinct categories established for full member nations, associate members, men, and women to recognize achievements across diverse levels of the sport.^[8] The selection process began with an ICC panel of experts shortlisting nominees based on statistical data and key contributions, followed by final voting conducted through a secure online system by a dedicated voting academy. This academy comprised media representatives, including 12 commentators and 12 journalists from full member nations, ensuring expert evaluation of nominees.^[2][8] A notable inaugural element in 2017 was the introduction of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Award, renamed from the ICC Women's Cricketer of the Year to honor the legendary English cricketer Rachael Heyhoe Flint, who had passed away earlier that year; it recognized the top female performer across all formats and was voted on by a specialized academy including media experts and former players.^[3]

Individual Awards

Men's Individual Awards

The 2017 ICC Awards recognized outstanding individual performances in men's cricket across various formats, with winners selected based on voting by media representatives, former players, and an expert panel.^[2] Virat Kohli of India dominated the top honors, securing two major categories for his exceptional run-scoring prowess in Tests and ODIs. Other awards highlighted breakthroughs in Test batting, T20I bowling, emerging talent, and associate contributions. The Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Men's Cricketer of the Year was awarded to Virat Kohli, who amassed 1,059 runs in 10 Test matches at an average of 75.64, including five centuries, 1,460 runs in 26 ODIs at an average of 76.84, and 299 runs in 10 T20Is at an average of 74.75.^[9][10] His leadership as India captain also contributed to series wins against Australia, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, underscoring his all-format impact.^[2] In the ICC Men's Test Cricketer of the Year category, Steve Smith of Australia earned the honor for scoring 1,305 runs in 20 innings at an average of 76.76, featuring three centuries and six half-centuries.^[11] Smith's consistent anchoring of Australia's batting lineup, including key contributions in the Ashes series, solidified his position as the world's top-ranked Test batsman during the year.^[2] Kohli repeated his success by winning the ICC Men's ODI Cricketer of the Year award, highlighted by his 1,460 runs in 26 matches at an average of 76.84, which included six centuries—one of the highest tallies in a calendar year.^[9] His aggressive strokeplay powered India's campaign in bilateral series and the ICC Champions Trophy, where he scored 258 runs at 129.00.^[2] The ICC Men's T20I Performance of the Year went to Yuzvendra Chahal of India for his match-winning spell of 6/25 against England in the third T20I in Bengaluru in January 2017, which restricted the visitors to 158 while chasing 202 and secured a 75-run victory.^[12] This remained the best figures by an Indian bowler in T20Is at the time, showcasing Chahal's leg-spin variations on a batting-friendly pitch.^[13] Hasan Ali of Pakistan was named ICC Men's Emerging Cricketer of the Year, having claimed 63 wickets across formats in 2017 at an average of around 18, including 45 in ODIs—the most globally that year. His standout role in Pakistan's ICC Champions Trophy triumph, where he took 13 wickets at 14.69 including a three-wicket haul in the final against India, marked him as a rising pace sensation.^[2] Finally, Rashid Khan of Afghanistan received the ICC Associate Men's Cricketer of the Year award for his remarkable haul of 60 wickets in 2017—a record for any associate player—including 43 in ODIs at an average of 10.86.^[2] Khan's leg-spin dominated against fellow associates in the ICC Intercontinental Cup and limited-overs series, with highlights like 7/18 in an ODI against Ireland, propelling Afghanistan's rise in global rankings.^[14]

Women's Individual Awards

The 2017 ICC Women's Individual Awards recognized outstanding performances by female cricketers in international matches during the voting period from 22 December 2016 to 21 December 2017. These awards highlighted contributions across formats, with a focus on all-round impact, batting prowess in limited-overs cricket, and emerging talent. The winners were announced on 21 December 2017.^[3] Ellyse Perry of Australia received the inaugural Rachael Heyhoe Flint Award for ICC Women's Cricketer of the Year, acknowledging her exceptional all-round contributions across all formats. Perry amassed 905 runs and claimed 22 wickets in 19 ODIs, scored 28 runs and took 4 wickets in 4 T20Is, and delivered an unbeaten 213 runs while capturing 3 wickets in the Ashes Test against England. Her performances were instrumental in Australia's success in the ICC Women's Championship and their semi-final appearance at the 2017 Women's World Cup.^[3] Amy Satterthwaite of New Zealand was named ICC Women's ODI Cricketer of the Year for her dominant batting displays in the 50-over format. During the voting period, she scored 1,183 runs in 24 ODIs at an average of 84.5, including 4 centuries and 5 half-centuries, and also took 20 wickets with her part-time bowling. Satterthwaite's consistency was evident in key series, such as her four consecutive ODI centuries earlier in 2017, which underscored her elevation to elite status in the format.^[3] Beth Mooney of Australia swept the remaining women's individual categories, winning both the ICC Women's T20I Cricketer of the Year and the ICC Women's Emerging Cricketer of the Year awards. In T20Is, Mooney topped the run charts with 255 runs in 7 matches at a strike rate of 138.5, featuring aggressive opening knocks that bolstered Australia's white-ball campaigns. Her breakout year included strong showings in the Ashes series and the 2017 Women's World Cup, where she scored 206 runs in 6 ODIs at an average of 41.20, marking her rapid rise as a reliable opener and wicketkeeper.^[3]

Other Individual Awards

The ICC Umpire of the Year award for 2017, known as the David Shepherd Trophy, was won by South African umpire Marais Erasmus for the second consecutive year, recognizing his exceptional accuracy and decision-making in international cricket. Erasmus stood in high-profile matches throughout the year, including the final of the ICC Champions Trophy between India and Pakistan at The Oval, as well as several Test series such as the Ashes opener and England's tour of South Africa. His performance was noted for maintaining one of the highest accuracy rates among Elite Panel umpires, contributing to fair play across formats.^[1][15][16] The ICC Spirit of Cricket Award went to England's Anya Shrubsole, honoring her display of humility and sportsmanship during the 2017 Women's Cricket World Cup semi-final against South Africa at Bristol. In a tense run-chase that saw England advance to the final with a one-wicket victory on the penultimate ball, Shrubsole—after hitting the winning boundary as No. 10 batter—immediately consoled the emotional South African captain Dane van Niekerk, who was in tears amid the defeat. This gesture, captured on video, exemplified the award's ethos of respect and camaraderie beyond competition.^[17][18] The inaugural ICC Fan's Moment of the Year award was given to Pakistan's dramatic 180-run victory over India in the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy final at The Oval, selected by global fan votes as the standout highlight of the year. Fakhar Zaman's unbeaten 114 powered Pakistan to 338/4, while their bowlers, led by Mohammad Amir and Hasan Ali, dismantled India for 158, marking Pakistan's first ICC limited-overs title in 26 years and creating widespread celebration among supporters.^[2][1]

Teams of the Year

Men's Teams of the Year

The ICC Men's Teams of the Year for 2017 honored the top performers in Test and One Day International (ODI) cricket, with selections made by a panel of international cricket experts evaluating contributions from the calendar year.^[4] These teams highlighted dominant series, including India's unbeaten home Test record against Australia, England, and Bangladesh, as well as Australia's successful Ashes defense.^[4] In the ODI format, the selections reflected strong showings in bilateral series and tournaments like the ICC Champions Trophy, where Pakistan emerged victorious.^[19]

ICC Men's Test Team of the Year

India's Virat Kohli was named captain of the ICC Men's Test Team of the Year for 2017, reflecting his leadership in a year that saw India secure seven consecutive home Test wins.^[4] The team, selected in batting order, comprised:

• Dean Elgar (South Africa, opener)^[4]
• David Warner (Australia, opener)^[4]
• Virat Kohli (India, captain, #3)^[4]
• Steve Smith (Australia, #4)^[4]
• Cheteshwar Pujara (India, #5)^[4]
• Ben Stokes (England, all-rounder, #6)^[4]
• Quinton de Kock (South Africa, wicket-keeper, #7)^[4]
• Ravichandran Ashwin (India, all-rounder, #8)^[4]
• Mitchell Starc (Australia, bowler, #9)^[4]
• Kagiso Rabada (South Africa, bowler, #10)^[4]
• James Anderson (England, bowler, #11)^[4]

Notable inclusions included Test Player of the Year Steve Smith and Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy winner Virat Kohli, underscoring their pivotal roles in major series outcomes.^[4]

ICC Men's ODI Team of the Year

Virat Kohli also captained the ICC Men's ODI Team of the Year for 2017, drawing from India's consistent bilateral successes and standout individual efforts in high-stakes matches.^[19] The team, in batting order, included:

• David Warner (Australia, opener)^[19]
• Rohit Sharma (India, opener)^[19]
• Virat Kohli (India, captain, #3)^[19]
• Babar Azam (Pakistan, #4)^[19]
• AB de Villiers (South Africa, #5)^[19]
• Quinton de Kock (South Africa, wicket-keeper, #6)^[19]
• Ben Stokes (England, all-rounder, #7)^[19]
• Trent Boult (New Zealand, bowler, #8)^[19]
• Hasan Ali (Pakistan, bowler, #9)^[19]
• Rashid Khan (Afghanistan, bowler, #10)^[19]
• Jasprit Bumrah (India, bowler, #11)^[19]

This lineup featured ODI Player of the Year Virat Kohli and emerging talents like Rashid Khan, who impressed in limited-overs fixtures against full member nations.^[19]

Women's Teams of the Year

The ICC Women's Teams of the Year for 2017 recognized outstanding performances by female cricketers across One Day International (ODI) and Twenty20 International (T20I) formats, selected by a panel of experts from Australia, England, India, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and the West Indies.^[5] These teams highlighted contributions from the 2017 Women's Cricket World Cup and key bilateral series, with evaluations based on player performances from September 21, 2016, onward.^[5]

ICC Women's ODI Team of the Year

The ODI team featured a balanced lineup emphasizing strong batting depth and versatile bowling, with England contributing four players, including captain Heather Knight, who led her side to victory in the 2017 Women's Cricket World Cup final against India at Lord's.^[5] The selected players, in batting order, were:

• Tammy Beaumont (England, opener)
• Meg Lanning (Australia, opener)
• Mithali Raj (India, #3)
• Amy Satterthwaite (New Zealand, #4)
• Ellyse Perry (Australia, all-rounder #5)
• Heather Knight (England, captain #6)
• Sarah Taylor (England, wicket-keeper #7)
• Dane van Niekerk (South Africa, all-rounder #8)
• Marizanne Kapp (South Africa, all-rounder #9)
• Ekta Bisht (India, bowler #10)
• Alex Hartley (England, bowler #11)

This selection underscored the influence of the World Cup, where several players excelled in high-pressure matches, alongside consistent showings in bilateral ODIs throughout the year.^[5]

ICC Women's T20I Team of the Year

The T20I team showcased explosive all-round talent, particularly from the West Indies with three inclusions, captained by Stafanie Taylor, the world's top-ranked T20I batter at the time.^[5] The players, in batting order, included:

• Beth Mooney (Australia, wicket-keeper opener)
• Danielle Wyatt (England, opener)
• Harmanpreet Kaur (India, batter #3)
• Stafanie Taylor (West Indies, captain all-rounder #4)
• Sophie Devine (New Zealand, all-rounder #5)
• Deandra Dottin (West Indies, all-rounder #6)
• Hayley Matthews (West Indies, all-rounder #7)
• Megan Schutt (Australia, bowler #8)
• Amanda-Jade Wellington (Australia, bowler #9)
• Lea Tahuhu (New Zealand, bowler #10)
• Ekta Bisht (India, bowler #11)

Selections drew heavily from bilateral T20I series and player rankings, reflecting dynamic contributions in shorter formats rather than tournament-specific peaks.^[5] Several recipients of 2017 women's individual ICC awards, such as Ellyse Perry, appeared in these teams, integrating personal excellence with collective impact.^[5]