England batsman Kevin Pietersen is awarded best batting performance of 2012, while Vernon Philander and Virat Kohli also collect awards.
Pietersen’s 186 against India in Mumbai last year has been voted the best batting performance of 2012, in the sixth annual ESPN cricinfo awards.
South Africa fast bowler Vernon Philander has capped off his impressive year with the best bowling performance, for his five-for against England at Lord’s.
Other winners included Virat Kohli for one-day internationals and Marlon Samuels and Lasith Malinga for Twenty20 batting and bowling respectively.
England’s Pietersen topped the voting, as his batting triumph helped England turn the Test series around after they had lost the first Test to their hosts. His side eventually beat India 2-1, the first time the tourists had won a series against the Indians in over 30 years.
Philander’s five-for at Lord’s was the fifth of his already prolific career. He had only played 10 Test matches before his match-winning bowling attack at Lord’s.
Former England opener Geoffrey Boycott was one of the judges at the awards and spoke of why Philander was eventually given the top bowling prize.
“It was the importance of the occasion that made his performance special,” Boycott told ESPN.
“He picked the top batsmen first up and grabbed the initiative. It put England on the back foot right away.”
As well as Boycott the voting panel is made up of several former cricket greats, such as Rahul Dravid and Ian Chappell.
Virat Kohli was given the ODI award for his 133 against Sri Lanka in the CB Series, whilst both Samuels and Malinga were given their awards for performances at the Twenty20 World Cup.
COMMENTS