5 players who deserved the ICC Cricketer of the Year award more than Michael Clarke

4. Kumar Sangakkara

Kumar Sangakkara

Although Sangakkara has only played 2 tests in the year 2013, he has scored a huge 441 runs in those two games. Also, he has been nothing short of sensational in both ODIs and T20s. As this piece is being written, he is taking apart the Pakistan bowlers in Dubai, with his style of elegance and finesse. Sangakkara is not the typical power hitter who id often the ODI success story, but he is a complete cricketer capable of adjusting to various conditions and various situations.

But, what tilts the balance in Sangakkara’s side, is his phenomenal ODI record in 2013. He has scored a staggering 1033 runs in just 20 innings at an average of over 73. Two innings stand out for Sangakkara. One, a fantastic century that took Sri Lanka home against England, in a big chase at The Oval in the Champion Trophy, and the other, a fabulous 169 against South Africa in the humid climes of Colombo that set Sri Lanka on their way to a big win, both in the match, and the series.

If Sri Lanka has been a force in Limited overs cricket this year, bulk of the credit has to go to Sangakkara and his brilliant batting.