Supreme skipper Ricky Ponting capped a remarkable summer by becoming the first player to sweep all three major awards at the Allan Border Medal ceremony at Melbourne's Crown Casino on Monday evening.
Ponting claimed his third Allan Border Medal as Australia's best cricketer but did not stop there, picking up the awards for best Test player and best one-day player.
The Tasmanian has had a stellar season with the highlight seeing him become just the second Australian captain behind Warwick Armstrong to whitewash England 5-0.
His fabulous batting performances saw him streak to victory in the Allan Border Medal, with his 107 votes far out-polling second-placed Michael Hussey (58).
Shane Warne finished third with 56, ahead of Adam Gilchrist (54) and Andrew Symonds (49).
He becomes the first player to win the award three times, following his efforts in 2004 and 2006, and he is also the first player to win in all three categories.
"I've just had one of the greatest years of my life as far as cricket's concerned," he said.
"It's been an amazing year, the emotions have been up and down, but mainly up.
"To be a part of this team is a huge honour and to be the leader of the team is an even bigger honour.
"To be standing here tonight to win the Allan Border Medal on top of such a great summer that this team has had, is a great thrill."
Ponting's victory means spin legend Shane Warne retires without ever winning the coveted medal.
Warne finished second to Ponting in the Test Player of the Year in what was a two-horse race.
Ponting's 1,115 runs at 74.33 with five centuries during the 10 Tests in the voting period saw him secure his third Test award, following his wins in 2003 and 2004.
He polled 12 votes, ahead of Warne's 10 and Stuart Clark's 6.
Warne turned in some memorable performances, finishing with 49 wickets at an average of 29.
Last-ditch win
Ponting's century against New Zealand in the tri-series on Sunday clinched him the One-Day Player of the Year award for the second time.
Ponting trailed all-rounder Andrew Symonds by one vote heading into the clash and his ton saw him surpass the Queenslander, who missed the match because of injury.
Symonds led voting in the award last year but ruled himself ineligible because of his disciplinary record, handing the award to Michael Hussey.
Ponting polled 20 votes ahead of Symonds's 18 and Michael Clarke's 16, with Hussey polling 13 to finish equal fourth with Adam Gilchrist and Shane Watson.
Ponting scored 968 ODI runs at 48.40 during the voting period, hitting four centuries.