Zimbabwe wicket-keeper/batsman Andy Flower has been named player of the year by the Federation of International Cricketers Association (FICA).

Flower was chosen by his fellow players from a short-list which also included England's Darren Gough, Glenn McGrath, Shaun Pollock, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Sachin Tendulkar and Muttiah Muralitharan.

"Andy Flower is a deserving and a very popular winner, " said former England captain Ted Dexter, when he presented the award at a ceremony in London.

"Not only has he scored a mass of runs in the last year, but the panel noted the extra burdens he has carried of playing for one of the weaker Test teams and also having to keep wicket."

Flower has scored 3,908 runs in 52 Test match appearances, including nine centuries, at an average of 51.42.

But has been forced to miss the current home series against the West Indies because of a ligament injury in his thumb.

Indians Tendulkar (57.18), Rahul Dravid (54.25) and Vinod Kambli (54.20) and Australian vice-captain and captain Adam Gilchrist (53.73) and Steve Waugh (51.20) are the only other current players averaging over 50 in Tests.

Pakistan all-rounder Abdur Razzaq was named Young Player of the Year, while Australia won the Team of the Year award.

They currently lead England 2-0 in the five-match Ashes series, having won 18 of their last 20 Tests.