Ceat cricket ratings gave away the retro awards this year for the first time, honouring performers with standout displays in every World Cup from 1975 onwards.
Glenn Turner, the New Zealand opener credited with 171 not out against East Africa, received the Retro award for 1975 World Cup, Matthew Hayden got the same award for 2007 World Cup.
Shane Watson, who astonishing all-round displays is behind Australia's comeback in the one-dayers against England, was named the International Cricketer of the Year for 2009-2010. Australia was adjudged the International Team of the Year over the same period.
Geoff Marsh and Matthew Hayden received the awards on behalf of Watson and Team Australia respectively.
Others called up on stage for the Retro honours included West Indian opener Gordon Greenidge for 1979 WC, Kapil Dev for 1983 WC, Australian Geoff Marsh for 1987, Pakistan pace ace Wasim Akram for 1992 WC, Sri Lankan all-rounder Aravinda de Silva for 1999 WC, Rahul Dravid for 2003 WC and Sourav Ganguly for 2007 WC.
Greenidge, the muscular opener known for intimidating batting for West Indies, received his 1979 World Cup Retro award from Sunil Gavaskar.
“Confidence was always there in our team,” he remarked explaining the reason for Windies' dominance over world cricket during his time under captain Clive Lloyd.
Replying to questions about the current situation facing West Indies cricket at the time of World Cup 2011, Greenidge said: ‘Now all we do is hope. That is what we have been doing all these years. I hope they will jell as a unit in this World Cup. It has not been happening for some time.”
The Ceat Cricket Year commences May 1 upto April 30 following calendar year. The cricketer and team accumulating highest points in respective categories at the end of this 12-month period are declared the International Cricketer and International Team of the Year.
The Ceat cricket rating World Cup awards: 1975: Glenn Turner, 1979: Gordon Greenidge, 1983: Kapil Dev, 1987: Geoffrey Marsh, 1992: Wasim Akram, 1996: Aravinda Da Silva, 1999: Rahul Dravid, 2003: Sourav Ganguly, 2007: Matthew Hayden
International Team of the Year: Australia. Ceat International Cricketer of the Year: Shane Watson.
