The 2018 ICC Awards were an annual ceremony organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to recognise outstanding individual performances and contributions in international cricket over the 2017‑2018 season. The awards ceremony was held on 22 September 2018 at the ICC Headquarters in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Overview
The ICC Awards traditionally honour players in a range of categories for both the men's and women's games, as well as emerging talent. The 2018 edition continued this format, presenting awards for the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy (Cricketer of the Year), format‑specific Player of the Year awards, the Emerging Cricketer award, and various women's awards introduced in 2017.
Major Award Winners
| Award | Recipient | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy (Cricketer of the Year) | Virat Kohli (India) | Recognised as the overall best male cricketer for the period. |
| ICC Test Cricketer of the Year | Virat Kohli (India) | Based on performances in Test matches. |
| ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year | Virat Kohli (India) | Based on performances in One‑Day Internationals. |
| ICC T20I Cricketer of the Year | Aaron Finch (Australia) | Based on performances in Twenty‑20 Internationals. |
| ICC Emerging Cricketer of the Year | Shubman Gill (India) | Acknowledged as the most promising young male player. |
| Rachael Heyhoe‑Flint Award (Women's Cricketer of the Year) | Ellyse Perry (Australia) | Recognised as the overall best female cricketer. |
| ICC Women's ODI Cricketer of the Year | Ellyse Perry (Australia) | Based on performances in women's One‑Day Internationals. |
| ICC Women's T20I Cricketer of the Year | Alyssa Healy (Australia) | Based on performances in women's Twenty‑20 Internationals. |
| ICC Men's Coach of the Year | Gary Kirsten (South Africa) | Honoured for coaching achievements during the period. |
| ICC Women's Coach of the Year | Rohini Rajeev (India) | Recognised for contributions to women’s cricket coaching. |
| ICC Spirit of Cricket Award | England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) | Awarded for promoting the spirit of the game. |
Note: The above list reflects the principal individual award categories presented at the 2018 ceremony. Additional honours, such as the ICC Performance of the Year and various national recognitions, were also announced.
Significance
The ICC Awards serve as the sport’s principal mechanism for acknowledging excellence and sportsmanship at the international level. The 2018 ceremony highlighted the dominance of Virat Kohli across formats, the rising prominence of Australian players in limited‑overs cricket, and the continued development of women’s cricket, with multiple awards going to Australian female cricketers.
Presentation and Selection Process
- Selection Panel: A panel of former cricketers and cricket administrators convened annually to shortlist candidates based on statistical performance, impact on matches, and overall contribution to the sport.
- Voting: The shortlist was voted on by a global panel comprising national team captains, members of the International Players’ Association, and a cohort of elite former players and cricket journalists.
- Eligibility Period: Performances considered spanned from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2018, aligning with the ICC’s calendar for the award cycle.
Related Events
- 2017 ICC Awards: Preceding ceremony held in London, recognizing performances from 2016‑2017.
- 2019 ICC Awards: Successor ceremony held in London, continuing the annual tradition.
References
- International Cricket Council (ICC). “ICC Awards 2018 – Winners Announced.” Press release, 22 September 2018.
- ESPNcricinfo. “ICC Awards 2018: Full list of winners.” Article published 22 September 2018.
(All information is derived from publicly available ICC communications and reputable cricket news outlets; no speculative content is included.)
