The world's No.1 ranked batsman also won the Test and One-Day International player of the year awards.

Ponting amassed 1115 runs at 74.33 in the 10 Tests in the voting period and 864 runs at 45.47 in 22 ODIs. The Tasmanian also led his side to a 5-0 series whitewash against England to reclaim the Ashes Australia famously lost in 2005, erasing any doubt about his leadership skills.

In winning the Allan Border Medal, 'Punter' became the first player in the award's eight-year history to win back-to-back medals - he also won Australian cricket's highest individual honour in 2002.

The hard-nosed 32-year-old was emotional in summing up a period of cricket which has seen the retirements of Australian greats Shane Warne and Justin Langer from all cricket, and Glenn McGrath from Test cricket.

"Some of the experiences that you share with these guys you just can't replace. The ups and downs that you go through throughout your career, throughout certain tours, it's hard work a lot of the times," Ponting said.

"It's not just cricket stuff, it's life in general. Justin came up on stage and Shane was saying you miss a lot of things in life, not only cricket but you're away form your family and friends for long periods of times and you have to help each other through those situations."

"That's been a big part for our team over the years. We've been the strongest and closest group of players that have represented their countries and that's certainly the way we like to see it and the way we like to have things around the teams. Those sorts of things that you share with the guys are hard to replace."

Ponting pipped Andrew Symonds in the limited overs category (20 votes to 18) and headed Warne (12 votes to 10) in the Test category.

Warne, who was afforded a video tribute on the night where his children gave their opinions on the leading Test wicket-taker of all time, never won the Allan Border Medal.

Other award winners on the night were Lisa Sthalekar (Women's International Cricketer of the Year), Chris Rogers (State Player of the Year) and recent Australian one-day debutante Ben Hilfenhaus (Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year).

Sportal