Michael Clarke is almost certain to cap a sensational first season as Test skipper with his third Allan Border Medal on Monday night.

Clarke, who took over as Test captain from Ricky Ponting on August 31 last year, has been Australia’s dominant batsman of the year-long medal voting period which ran until February 24.

The 30-year-old’s 1167 runs at 68.65 in 11 Tests included five centuries, highlighted by his spectacular unbeaten 329 against India in Sydney in January 2012.

Mike Hussey (839 at 49.35) and Ponting (837 at 52.31) trailed Clarke by more than 300 runs in the Test tallies.

Hussey has performed well with the bat across all three formats and could provide a threat to Clarke in the main award.

Paceman Peter Siddle has led Australia’s Test wicket-takers with 40 at 23.35. Mitchell Johnson dominated the one-day scene with 36 wickets but took only nine at 63.11 in five Tests.

Exciting young quick James Pattinson is sure to poll several votes for some match-winning performances at Test level before suffering a foot injury last month.

Clarke, who won the AB Medal in 2005 after making 151 on his Test debut in Bangalore in the previous year, also claimed the coveted award in 2009.

Allrounder Shane Watson, who is aiming for an AB Medal hat-trick, was struck down by hamstring and calf injuries and played only five of a possible 11 Tests.

However Watson has been a consistent contributor with the bat in the ODI and T20 formats and will be among the dangers to Clarke in the overall award.

A third medal win for Watson or Clarke would place them one below Ponting who was victorious in 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2009 (with Clarke).

Clarke could face competition from Siddle for the Test player of the year award, while Watson, Clarke and Johnson are among the leading contenders for the ODI player of the year.

Watson (119 runs at 39.67) and speedster Pat Cummins (5-51 at 10.20) lead the runs and wickets tallies in the T20 award.

Other awards to be presented include young cricketer of the year, state player of the year and women’s international cricketer of the year which has been renamed the Belinda Clark Award and is likely to feature Alex Blackwell and Sarah Coyte among the leading contenders.

Another highlight will be Shane Warne’s induction into the hall of fame.