Australia Limited Overs International skipper Ricky Ponting was adjudged the Electrolux Wisden International Cricketer of the Year at a glittering function in Mumbai on Thursday night.

Also Read The Wisden Awards - the winners' list

After presenting the award to Ponting, former Pakistan skipper Imran Khan compared the Aussie's quick footwork and attacking style of cricket with that of a young Javed Miandad.

Ponting for his part highlighted the Australian team's insatiable appetite, which enables them to raise the bar constantly. "We are never happy with what we achieve. We always want to do better and that is why the team is a better unit," he said.

Describing the early incidents in his life, which marred an otherwise promising start, Ponting said he would not change anything he has experienced. The greatest thing, he said, was the way the team rallied behind him in the period of crisis.

He also congratulated Andy Bichel on receiving the Wisden One-Day Performance of the Year Award for his figures of 7 for 20 and 35 crucial runs against England in the World Cup earlier this year.

Bichel edged past final nominees Andrew Symonds, for his 143 against Pakistan in the World Cup, and Kiwi skipper Stephen Fleming, for his unbeaten 134 against South Africa, also in the World Cup.

"Two days before the game I was not sure if I would be playing the game. But [Jason] Gillespie's injury did not heal and the performance against England was something special," said Bichel after receiving the award.

Rahul Dravid was named the Electrolux Indian Cricketer of the Year for his outstanding performances in both forms of the game. He credited the award to a team performance.

"We had some amazing wins this year which I did not have in the last 6-7 years of my career," Dravid said. "A couple of matches that stand out are the games against New Zealand and Pakistan in the World Cup."

Amongst the other winners were Michael Vaughan, for his 183 against Australia in Sydney, which was rated the Wisden Test Batting Performance of the Year. Vaughan received the award from former Pakistan captain and fast bowler Wasim Akram in Chittagong, where he is playing a Test against Bangladesh.

Shane Warne won the Wisden Test bowling Performance of the Year for his 7 wickets for 94 runs against Pakistan in Colombo.

South Africa captain Graeme Smith was adjudged the Wisden Young Cricketer of the Year for his sterling back-to-back double centuries in England.

Sachin Tendulkar's six over third man off Pakistan pace ace Shoaib Akhtar in the World Cup game between India and Pakistan was chosen the ESPN-STAR Sports Moment of the Year Award.

"When I played that shot," Tendulkar said, "I was only thinking about the next ball."

Akhtar, who was present at the function, praised Tendulkar, saying he is a great player of fast bowling, and added that he hopes to bowl to the master batsman early next year in Pakistan.

The Australian team was given a Special Achievement Award for its scintillating performances over the last one year.