Ponting sets a record at the national awards 

Ricky Ponting was declared the winner of the Allan Border Medal given to Australia's best player over the previous 12 months. He also bagged the Test Player of the Year and One-Day Player of the Year awards.

This was a record of sorts for Ponting as he had won the award in 2004 and 2005 making him the first player to win the coveted medal three times. He also became the first player to claim all three awards.

Ponting was a clear winner in the top award, polling 107 votes, with Mike Hussey at second position on 58 and recently retired leg spinner Shane Warne in the third place. Having scored 1,115 Test runs during the voting period, including five centuries and 968 one-day runs at 48.40, with four centuries, Ponting was the favorite of players, media and umpires who voted for him for the award.

"To win all three awards tonight has blown me away," Ponting, said. "It's a great honour to win an Allan Border Medal, but to win three is pretty special." However, there was suspense till the last minute. Ponting's century in Sunday's win over New Zealand proved crucial as he grabbed the One-Day Player of the Year by two votes. In the Test count, Ponting polled 12 votes in the 10 eligible matches during the voting period ahead of contender Warne (10), while paceman Stuart Clark came third on six votes.