LONDON: England fast bowler James Anderson has beaten all-rounder Stuart Broad and opening batsman Alastair Cook to be named England cricketer of the year for 2011-12. Anderson, third in the International Cricket Council world rankings, has risen to fifth in the list of England's all-time Test match wicket-takers with 258.

"I have been pleased with my performances over the last year and was delighted with the way I bowled on the recent tour of Sri Lanka. I am flattered to win this award," Anderson said in an England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) statement yesterday.

England narrowly avoided losing their number one ranking by drawing the series 1-1 against Sri Lanka last month after a 3-0 drubbing by Pakistan.

They begin a three-Test series against West Indies on Thursday before facing South Africa over three more Tests in July and August.