London: Stylish batsman Rahul Dravid was the toast of the inauguaral ICC (International Cricket Council) Awards with three glittering picks, including the most coveted Player of the Year Award, at the Alexandra Palace in London.

The Indian vice-captain also named the best Test player as well as a selection in the Test team, but the function failed to live up to its billing as the 'Cricket Oscars'.

It was too straight-jacket; compering insipid and the evening was not wholesome in a way one associates with Hollywood or even Bollywood functions. The saving grace was the authenticity and respect, which went with the awards chosen by the sport's highest governing authority.

Irfan Pathan was another Indian to walk off with a huge honour of being accorded the Emerging Player of the Year Award. This along with the selection of Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag in the One-Day team made it a special night for Indian cricket.

England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff won the One-Day player of the year Award while the New Zealand team bagged the Spirit of Cricket Award. Australian Simon Taufel was named the Umpire of the Year.

Dravid was pleased with the honour and said the awards would act as a spur towards greater performance.

"The good performances have probably come about because of better fitness. It is also because I am more relaxed about my cricket and am also more comfortable as a person.

"But I still believe there is a lot to achieve and a lot more I can do," he said.

The ICC Awards, presented by Hyundai in association with the players' body FICA, recognise the game's best players of the past 12 months.

Dravid polled 64 votes to win the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for the best player. Flintoff (44) nudged out South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis (44) for second place on count back while Australian batsman Matthew Hayden came fourth with 38 votes.

The Indian star polled 82 votes to claim the Test player of the year honour, ahead of Hayden (53), England fast bowler Steve Harmison (38) and Sri Lankan off-spinner Muthiah Muralitharan (30).

In the voting period from August 1, 2003 to July 31, 2004 Dravid scored 1241 runs in nine Tests at an average of 95.46 with three centuries.

Dravid, who also doubles up as the wicketkeeper in One-Day matches jokingly said given the kind of form the Indian team has exhibited in recent weeks, the awards might save from a few effigies being burnt back home.

The middle-order batsman rated his double hundred at Adelaide against Australia as his most important innings last season.

The voting academy included the 10 ICC full member captains, the Emirate Elite Panel of eight ICC umpires, seven members of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC referees and a combination of 25 former cricketing legends and members of the media.

Pathan claimed 100 votes ahead of Pakistan's Yasir Hameed (75) and Australia's Michael Clarke (45). Another Pakistan youngster Umar Gul rounded out on the top four with 21 votes.