Warner and Smith battle for AB Medal
Any other year and Steve Smith would appear a shoo-in to claim the Allan Border Medal.
Having amassed 1756 runs at an average of 67.54 and enjoying a golden summer, the result of Tuesday night’s ceremony in Sydney would seem a foregone conclusion.
However that would be to not factor in David Warner.
After finding balance in his life with partner Candice Falzon and first child Ivy Mae, Warner has become the foundation stone of the Australian side.
His 1645 runs at 53.06 in all forms of the game during the voting period – from January 14 2014 to January 10 this year – put him firmly in line for Australian cricket’s top honour.
Neither of the batting duo have won the award and while last year’s winner Mitchell Johnson (the team’s leading wicket-taker with 54 scalps) will figure heavily in the votes, it appears likely another name will be added to the illustrious list of winners.
Smith averaged 128.16 in Australia’s recent Test series with India and was also a strong performer in the side’s disappointing tour against Pakistan in the UAE, averaging 43.50 with the bat in two matches.
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Smith is also in line for one-day player of the year having scored 541 runs at 49.18 in 12 white-ball matches.
Warner, meanwhile, produced six half-centuries and seven centuries in his 23 matches across all formats of the game.
He averaged above 50 in all four of Australia’s Test series last year, including 90.50 in the side’s successful tour of South Africa.
– AAP
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