Adam Gilchrist has become the third Australian to win the FICA International Cricketer of the Year award in its five-year history.

FICA is the official body representing all players around the world.

Gilchrist, the explosive number seven batsman who also keeps wicket for his country, boasts a batting average of 60.00, the best for any current player.

He is also ranked the number one batsman in the PwC ratings. His best score was an unbeaten 204 in Johannesburg.

The left-hander came top of a list of six nominees, who were all bidding to win the award for the first time in their careers.

Sri Lankan pair Mahela Jayawardene and Muttiah Muralitharan missed out, along with Jacques Kallis, Sachin Tendulkar and Matty Hayden.

But one Sri Lankan did collect a prize - Kumar Sangakkara was named the Young Player of the Year.