Australia captain Michael Clarke claimed Cricket Australia’s Test Player of the Year Award on Monday but only after triumphing in a countback from Ricky Ponting.

Clarke and ex-skipper Ponting both polled nine votes but Clarke was awarded the title because he had more three-votes.

Both averaged over 100 in the four-Test series against India in Australia in December-January, sharing partnerships of 288 in Sydney and 386 in Adelaide.

Clarke hit a career-best 329 not out in his home Test at the SCG, the fourth-highest score by an Australian in Test history.

Clarke scored 1167 runs at 68.65 in 11 Tests in the voting period, scoring five centuries in a spectacular start to his career as Test captain.

Ponting, who at 37 is determined to play on and is aiming for redemption on the 2013 Ashes tour, scored 837 at 52.31 in 10 matches.

Mike Hussey (839 runs in 11 matches) and young pace sensation James Pattinson, who claimed 25 wickets in his first four Tests this summer before breaking down with a foot injury, were equal third on eight votes.