“I am thankful for the support of the Australian cricket family and wider community, as well as my own family, close friends and team-mates, and especially my girlfriend Brier”
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
New South Wales pace bowler Sean Abbott has been named the Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year at the Allan Border Medal award ceremony.
Abbott also scooped up the Steve Waugh Medal since he was recognised as the best New South Wales cricketer of 2013-14.
While he has enjoyed a lot of success, Abbott has also been through some difficult times, especially after he bowled the fatal bouncer that tragically killed Australia batsman Phillip Hughes.
“I am thankful for the support of the Australian cricket family and wider community, as well as my own family, close friends and team-mates, and especially my girlfriend Brier,” Abbott said. “I feel privileged to receive such an award, especially after a couple of good seasons in a row on the field and some tough off seasons pushing myself to continually improve.
“I feel that this is a reward for a lot of good work and finally putting some consistent good performances together. I am looking to improve my cricket every day and to keep putting good performances on the board for the NSW Blues and the Sydney Sixers and if I continue to perform consistently well, hopefully contribute to the Australian cricket team down the track.”
Abbott received 42 per cent of the votes submitted by Australia’s cricketers, while his New South Wales teammate Gurinder Sandhu got 15 per cent and Victoria’s Mark Stoinis finished with 14 per cent.
Meanwhile, Western Australia pace bowler Jason Behrendorff won the state player of the year award.
Behrendorff secured 22 per cent of the votes, while Western Australia captain Adam Voges got 16 per cent, Queensland’s James Hopes received 15 per cent and Hopes’ teammate Usman Khawaja finished with 14 per cent.
In terms of women’s cricket, the Belinda Clark Medal went to Southern Stars captain Meg Lanning for the second consecutive year.
Lanning’s closest competitors for the award were Ellyse Perry and Elyse Villiani.