Johannesburg, Oct 2 (IANS) Australian fast bowler Peter Siddle won the Emerging Player of the Year award at the International Cricket Council (ICC) awards ceremony here Thursday.

The 24-year-old, who played in 12 Test matches in the voting period and took 49 wickets with an average of 28.93, has made an impact within the Australia side with his charging run up and powerful delivery.

Siddle's best bowling figures in an innings during the voting period came against England when he took five for 21 in 9.5 overs in the fourth Ashes Test at Headingley. He had earlier taken another five-wicket haul, this time against South Africa in Sydney when he snapped up 5-59.

Siddle was the top choice of the 25-member voting academy, coming in ahead of team mate Ben Hilfenhaus, England bowler Graham Onions and New Zealand's big hitter Jesse Ryder.

"Getting to represent my country is an enormous honour and it has been a great time for me to be part of the team. It's been very enjoyable," said Siddle while receiving the award from Rahul Dravid at the Sandton Convention Centre.

Sri Lanka's opening batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan has won the Twenty20 International Performance of the Year for his 96 not out off 57 balls against the West Indies at the ICC World Twenty20 2009 in England.

The New Zealand cricket team was named as the recipients of the Spirit of Cricket Award. It is the second time New Zealand has won this award, the first being in 2004. Haroon Lorgat, chief executive of the ICC, presented the award to New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori.