DHAKA: Michael Clarke was titled as Cricketer of the Year and also Test Cricketer of the Year, the most prestigious awards annually announced by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Clarke`s wins come despite Australia having a wretched time during a 12-month spell till August, the period over which performances are considered for the awards, reports ESPNcricinfo.

The honours were announced on the first day of Clarke`s 100th Test, against England in Perth on Wednesday.

ICC come largely on the basis of Clarke`s prolific run in Tests, amassing 1559 runs in the voting period, more than 300 better than the next highest, Alastair Cook. His five Test centuries included two double-hundreds and a 187 against England.

Over the past year, Australia lost several senior players to retirement, and Clarke needed to guide an inexperienced side besides battling chronic back trouble.

This year, Sangakkara was named the ODI Cricketer of the Year - the one major award that he missed out in 2012. He was the leading run-getter in the format, with 956 runs at 63.73 including a career-best 169 against South Africa.

India`s Cheteshwar Pujara took the Emerging Cricketer prize, while Ireland`s Kevin O`Brien won the Associate and Affiliate award.

The women`s winners were New Zealand`s Suzie Bates (ODI) and England`s Sarah Taylor (T20).

BDST: 1600 HRS, DEC 13, 2013