Aussie-slayer Claire Taylor is first woman to win Wisden award

Claire Taylor has become the first woman to be named as one of Wisden's Five Cricketers of the Year after helping England to World Cup glory.

The 33-year-old was player of the tournament in Australia, where she scored 324 runs as the team claimed the trophy for the first time since 1993.

Last year she also played a key role in England retaining the Ashes Down Under and then helped the team stay unbeaten throughout the summer.

This is the 120th year of the awards by the Wisden Almanack and Taylor is delighted by her ground-breaking feat.

"It's a huge honour to join this amazing list," she said.

Editor Scyld Berry said: "Beating Australia in Australia is the objective for all cricketers, at least in England, and Claire almost single-handedly saw England through to victory and the retention of the Ashes, not to mention her success in the World Cup just a couple of weeks back.

"It would be a sin of omission, an act of prejudice, to exclude her. The women have been the pride of the nation as far as cricket is concerned in recent years, and Claire's nomination as a Cricketer of the Year is testament to the sterling effort the ladies have consistently put in."

England seamer James Anderson is also honoured as reward for his recent renaissance, while the other three cricketers of the year are all South Africans.

Durham captain Dale Benkenstein receives recognition for his role in leading the county to their first Championship title while Mark Boucher and Neil McKenzie starred in the Proteas' Test series win in England.