Sri Lanka Captain Angelo Mathews was crowned Cricketer of the Year 2015 at the Dialog Cricket Awards 2016 held on 30th November at Water’s Edge, Grand Ballroom. The glittering red carpet gathering which brought together the country’s cricketing elite including the master of swing and reverse swing, the deadliest bowler of the previous decade Pakistan’s legend Wasim Akram.
Mathews faced stiff competition from Kumar Sangakkara and Rangana Herath for the award but ultimately bagged the top prize for the third consecutive year. Captain Marval, Mathews also won both the Test and ODI All Rounder of the Year awards.
The period under consideration was from January 2015 to December 2015, in which Sri Lanka Vice-Captain Dinesh Chandimal with over 900 runs won his maiden Test Batsman of the year award while Rangana Herath with 37 wickets in 10 matches won the Test bowler of the year prize.
Retired batting legend, Kumar Sangakkara who slammed 4 consecutive tons during the ICC World Cup won the Best ODI Batsman accolade. Fast-bowler, Lasith Malinga who captured 6 T20I wickets at 20.16 and 20 ODI wickets at 35.30 won both the ODI Bowler of the Year and T20I Bowler of the Year awards.
Photo Album – Dialog Sri Lanka Cricket Awards 2016
The biggest shock of the evening came from people’s votes when Sangakkara, the recipient of the People’s Player of the Year for the last six years was defeated by the recently retired, jack of all trades, Tillakarathne Dilshan who also went onto win the T20 Batsman of the Year award.
After a stunning entry into the national team, young batting star, Kusal Mendis was crowned the Emerging Cricketer of the Year by the Guest of Honour for the evening, the Sultan of Swing – the great Wasim Akram.
In the Women’s Category, Shashikala Siriwardana bagged the Best All-Rounder award while Chamari Atapattu and Inoka Ranaweera were named Best Batsman (Women’s) and Best Bowler (Women’s) respectively.
In the special awards category, Russell Arnold won the International Commentator of the Year award while 48-year old Ruchira Palliyaguru was named the International Umpire of the Year. The Island Sports Editor, Rex Clementine won the prestigious International Journalist of the Year award.
