Flintoff named ODI Player of the Year

Andrew Flintoff's week of celebration continued when he was named the ODI player of the year at the ICC Awards on Tuesday.

England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff's week of celebration continued when he was named the one-day international player of the year at the inaugural International Cricket Council (ICC) awards at Alexandra Palace here on Tuesday.

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The award came just 24 hours after Flintoff's partner, Rachael, gave birth to the couple's first child, a daughter called Holly.

"Yesterday (Monday) was probably the best day of my life. Holly came a little bit out of the blue, she wasn't due for a couple of months," Flintoff said on receiving his award.

"But she's doing fine. And now this week seems to be getting better," the 26-year-old Lancashire star added.

In the 12 matches played by Flintoff in the year under consideration he scored 551 runs at an average of 78.71 with a best of 123 against West Indies at Lord's, his second one-day hundred in as many matches.

He also took 12 wickets at 20.50 which included four for 14 against Bangladesh in Chittagong. Flintoff polled 58 votes compared to second-placed India batsman Sachin Tendulkar (47).

Hosts England play Zimbabwe at Edgbaston on Friday in a match that launches the ICC Champions Trophy, the 'mini World Cup.'