MELBOURNE, Feb 12: Captain Ricky Ponting won the Allan Border Medal on Thursday for Australia's player of the year after scoring three Test double centuries and leading his side to one-day World Cup victory in 2003.

"The last 12 months have been an exceptional year for me," Ponting said at the function in Melbourne. "Obviously it's a great thrill to win the Allan Border Medal. "The World Cup so far has been the best cricketing moment of my life," he added of his undefeated 140 in the final against India.

The 29-year-old, who also won the Test player of the year award after averaging more than 100 in matches within the voting period, will take over the Test captaincy from the retired Steve Waugh for next month's series in Sri Lanka.

Ponting received 139 votes from players, umpires and the media, ahead of opening batsman Matthew Hayden on 91 and wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist on 70. Gilchrist was voted Australia's best one-day player with Ponting and fast bowler Brett Lee equal second. -Reuters