Australian vice-captain Adam Gilchrist has been recognised by his international peers as the cricketer of the year.

Gilchrist received the annual from the Federation of International Cricketers Association's (FICA) award at the Dorchester Hotel in London today at a black-tie affair attended by more than 1,000 guests.

Voted on by Test players from all nations, the award went to Gilchrist ahead of fellow finalists Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka), Sachin Tendulkar (India), Jacques Kallis (South Africa), Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka) and Matthew Hayden (Australia).

Past winners of the award include Australian Test captain Steve Waugh and fast bowler Glenn McGrath, West Indian batsman Brian Lara and Zimbabwe's wicketkeeper/batsman Andy Flower.

Gilchrist scored three Test centuries last summer, including lightning-fast unbeaten knocks of 204 and 138 against South Africa.

He has a Test average of 60 from 31 matches, with 122 catches and ten stumpings.

The FICA award is not sanctioned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) or the Australian Cricket Board (ACB), but is regarded as a prestigious honour.

© 2002 AAP

This report does not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Cricket Board.