Yorkshire’s Ballance earns ICC award

Yorkshire's Gary Ballance celebrates with the fans after winning the championship.

Zimbabwe-born Ballance, 24, helped Yorkshire win the LV County Championship title and also cemented his place in England’s batting line-up.

Australia paceman Mitchell Johnson has been named the ICC Cricketer of the Year for the second time in his career.

The 33-year-old, who previously lifted the trophy in 2009, claimed 59 Test wickets and 21 one-day scalps between August 2013 and September 2014, with best bowling figures of seven for 40 against England in the second Test in Adelaide last December.

Johnson becomes the third Australia to win the award, following Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke, and said: “Some of the greats of the game have been nominated and won this award, and it’s a very special honour.”

Johnson was also named Test cricketer of the year, with South Africa batsman AB de Villiers winning the ODI accolade.