Joe Root bags hat-trick of awards at England's annual awards ceremony

England’s batting ace Joe Root bagged a hat-trick of awards at the England’s annual awards ceremony held at a celebratory dinner in Leeds on Monday (May 16). He was named Test Player of the Year, Limited Overs Player of the Year and Fans’ Player of the Year.

The Yorkshire batsman beat tough competition from Stuart Broad and Ben Stokes for the Test award while Jos Buttler and David Willey ran him close in the Limited Overs category. A media poll decided the results of both these awards. The cricketer, however, said his game remains far from perfect and that more hard work lies ahead.

The 25-year-old shone in all three formats, with his 2,228 international runs in 2015 the most by an England batsman in a calendar year, and was involved in a game of musical chairs at the top of the ICC Test rankings with Australia’s Steve Smith and Kane Williamson of New Zealand. He was also the leading run-getter for England in the recently-concluded World T20.

Tom Harrison, the CEO of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had a few words of praise for all the players who represented the country across teams and formats in what he described as a ‘remarkable year.’

“It’s been a remarkable year for our international teams,” Tom Harrison said. “The women’s Ashes attracted record attendances and unprecedented levels of media interest, our physical disability team won the inaugural Physical Disability World Cup in Bangladesh and our men’s team regained the Ashes, won a major Test series in South Africa and reached the final of the World T20 tournament.

“Each of the players honoured tonight has made a big contribution to England cricket, helping to win matches and to inspire a wider audience and deserves the highest praise.”

Root said: “It surprised me to reach that target. I know my cricket can develop so much more. There are so many areas I have to keep working on and keep improving. I don’t think you’re ever happy as a batter: there as always more runs you can get and more tweaks you can make to improve. There’s plenty on the horizon for me to work at.”

Somerset’s Anya Shrubsole was voted Women’s Player of the Year, while Charlotte Edwards, the veteran skipper who recently announced her international retirement, was awarded the fans’ prize. There was also a Special Achievement Award for former England coach-turned-commentator David Lloyd.

Also, read – Mohammad Azharuddin revealed why he played with his collar up