Smith tipped for history at AB Medal night

Australian captain Steve Smith is expected to take home his second consecutive Allan Border Medal in Melbourne on Wednesday.

Steve Smith of Australia

Australian captain Steve Smith is expected to take home his second consecutive Allan Border Medal. (AAP)

Australian captain Steve Smith is tipped to create history with a second consecutive clean sweep of major honours at the Allan Border Medal function on Wednesday night.

After last year becoming just the third player to win the Allan Border Medal plus the Test and ODI player of the year awards - joining Ricky Ponting (2007) and Shane Watson (2011) - Smith is a strong chance to become the first person to repeat the feat.

After a stellar year in which he took over the captaincy and was the country's leading run-scorer in Tests and ODIs, the 26-year-old is expected to join Ponting, Watson and Michael Clarke as a back-to-back winner of the coveted Allan Border Medal for most outstanding Australian cricketer of the year.

He is considered a shoo-in for the Test Player of the Year Award, having finished the year as the world's top ranked batsman and leading run-scorer.

He will receive some competition from opener David Warner and paceman Mitchell Starc. However he was a constant standout performer, particularly when the national Test side was not at its best.

During their losing Ashes campaign in England, Smith claimed two man-of-the-match awards, with his 205 at Lord's and 143 at The Oval amongst the handful of highlights on the ill-fated tour.

He was also Australia's top run-scorer in ODIs for the voting period - from January 16 to January 7 - with 805 runs at 53.67 including a strong showing during the side's triumphant World Cup campaign.

Veteran Michael Klinger is a chance to claim his first Domestic Player of the Year Award in six years.

Western Australian and Perth Scorchers batsman Klinger, who took home back-to-back awards in 2009-10, scored 1568 runs from 33 innings in Sheffield Shield, the one-day competition and Big Bash League to be the leading domestic run scorer while former Australian spinner Fawad Ahmed will be his biggest rival after taking 50 wickets.

Despite yet another interrupted season, Pat Cummins is the leading contender for the Young Cricketer of the Year gong.

The highly-rated paceman returned during Australia's limited overs tour of England, only to break down again with a back injury soon after.

William Bosisto, Beau Webster and Daniel Worrall are also in the frame.

Elysse Perry is expected to claim a commanding victory for the women's cricketer of the year award after starring with the bat and ball, notably during the away Ashes series triumph.

Perry was the country's leading run scorer and wicket-taker last year and is expected to finish Meg Lanning's run of consecutive wins.


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Source: AAP



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