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Short-lists announced for LG ICC Awards 2009
Short-lists of nominees
Individual Awards
Cricketer of the Year
Mahendra Singh Dhoni (Ind)
Gautam Gambhir (Ind)
Mitchell Johnson (Aus)
Andrew Strauss (Eng)
Test Player of the Year
Gautam Gambhir (Ind)
Mitchell Johnson (Aus)
Thilan Samaraweera (SL)
Andrew Strauss (Eng)
ODI Player of the Year
Shivnarine Chanderpaul (WI)
Mahendra Singh Dhoni (Ind)
Virender Sehwag (Ind)
Yuvraj Singh (Ind)
Emerging Player
Ben Hilfenhaus (Aus)
Graham Onions (Eng)
Jesse Ryder (NZ)
Peter Siddle (Aus)
Associate and Affiliate Player of the Year
Rizwan Cheema (Can)
Ryan ten Doeschate (Ned)
William Porterfield (Ire)
Edgar Schiferli (Ned)
Twenty20 International Performance of the Year
Shahid Afridi (Pak) for scoring 51 off 34 balls and taking 2-16 against South Africa during the ICC WT20 semi-final in Nottingham on 18 June
Tillakaratne Dilshan (SL) for scoring 96 not out off 57 balls against the West Indies in the semi-final of the ICC WT20 at The Oval on 19 June
Chris Gayle (WI) - for hitting 88 off 50 balls against Australia during the ICC WT20 at The Oval on 6 June
Umar Gul (Pak) for taking 5-6 against New Zealand during the ICC WT20 at The Oval on 13 June
Women's Cricketer of the Year
Charlotte Edwards (Eng)
Shelley Nitschke (Aus)
Claire Taylor (Eng)
Umpire of the Year
Aleem Dar
Tony Hill
Asad Rauf
Simon Taufel
Spirit of Cricket
Australia
England
New Zealand
Sri Lanka
Short-lists of nominees
Individual Awards
Cricketer of the Year
Mahendra Singh Dhoni (Ind)
Gautam Gambhir (Ind)
Mitchell Johnson (Aus)
Andrew Strauss (Eng)
Test Player of the Year
Gautam Gambhir (Ind)
Mitchell Johnson (Aus)
Thilan Samaraweera (SL)
Andrew Strauss (Eng)
ODI Player of the Year
Shivnarine Chanderpaul (WI)
Mahendra Singh Dhoni (Ind)
Virender Sehwag (Ind)
Yuvraj Singh (Ind)
Emerging Player
Ben Hilfenhaus (Aus)
Graham Onions (Eng)
Jesse Ryder (NZ)
Peter Siddle (Aus)
Associate and Affiliate Player of the Year
Rizwan Cheema (Can)
Ryan ten Doeschate (Ned)
William Porterfield (Ire)
Edgar Schiferli (Ned)
Twenty20 International Performance of the Year
Shahid Afridi (Pak) for scoring 51 off 34 balls and taking 2-16 against South Africa during the ICC WT20 semi-final in Nottingham on 18 June
Tillakaratne Dilshan (SL) for scoring 96 not out off 57 balls against the West Indies in the semi-final of the ICC WT20 at The Oval on 19 June
Chris Gayle (WI) - for hitting 88 off 50 balls against Australia during the ICC WT20 at The Oval on 6 June
Umar Gul (Pak) for taking 5-6 against New Zealand during the ICC WT20 at The Oval on 13 June
Women's Cricketer of the Year
Charlotte Edwards (Eng)
Shelley Nitschke (Aus)
Claire Taylor (Eng)
Umpire of the Year
Aleem Dar
Tony Hill
Asad Rauf
Simon Taufel
Spirit of Cricket
Australia
England
New Zealand
Sri Lanka
England 299 (50 overs)
Australia 5/0 (1 overs)
Australia require another 295 runs with 10 wickets and 49 overs remaining
Australia 5/0 (1 overs)
Australia require another 295 runs with 10 wickets and 49 overs remaining
Kumar Sangakkara takes part in a Buddhist ritual ahead of the Sri Lankan team's departure for the Champions Trophy
A week for the old-timers to savour
In this era of unrelenting schedules, weariness with the 50-over format has become commonplace. Four-innings matches, over reductions and even wholesale scrapping have been proposed as potential solutions to alleviate the tedium and restore context to a game that has fallen victim to money-driven boards and their ravenous broadcast partners.
Yet despite the apocalyptic overtones, limited-overs cricket has made a comeback of sorts over the past week. And while it had been suggested in some quarters that the format's survival could hinge on the skills of a new generation weaned on Twenty20 cricket, it is the current batch of veterans breathing new life into the ODI game.
On Saturday, Sanath Jayasuriya smashed a breakneck 98 against India in Colombo. Two days later, Sachin Tendulkar returned the favour with a scintillating 138. Then, on Tuesday, Ricky Ponting notched his first ODI century in more than 18 months, leading Australia to a thrilling victory over England at Trent Bridge with a stirling 126 from 109 deliveries. A week to savour.
By week's end, Ponting could well join Tendulkar and Jayasuriya in the top-three all-time ODI run-scorers. His mesmeric innings on Tuesday placed him within 47 runs of the third-placed Inzamam ul-Haq and, given his current form, few would back against him reeling in his former Paksitani counterpart over the final two matches of the series.
Ponting currently occupies third place on the all-time Test run-scorers' list behind Tendulkar and Brian Lara, and thoroughly deserves the "best since Bradman" tag bestowed upon him by many of his countrymen in recent season. But on a night when his personal achievement overshadowed all others in Nottingham, the Australian captain appeared more interested in discussing his side's mometum-gathering build-up to next week's Champions Trophy in South Africa.
"I haven't had much time to think about it," Ponting said. "The innings kept us on track with the run chase. Michael Clarke and myself got us in a position where it would've been disappointing if we hadn't won the game. I felt like I played well. It was a really good run chase and another good team effort. It just goes to show that we're heading in the right direction with our one-day cricket leading into the Champions Trophy."
Ponting's innings, coupled with a half-century to his deputy Michael Clarke, made short work of England's 299. The Australian captain capitalised on an ideal Trent Bridge wicket and a brisk outfield to raise his half-century in near even-time, then raced to his 27th career ODI century with a combination of withering blows - most notably off Adil Rashid - and judicious placement.
As with Tendulkar and Jayasuriya, Ponting's hunger, timing and reflexes have barely diminished in his twilight years, and his presence in the top order continues to serve as an example for those around him to follow. His sixes struck off Ryan Sidebottom and Rashid were no less powerful than those launched a decade ago; his magnetism at the crease still compelling spectators to watch at a time when saturation scheduling is sapping the passion of even the most devoted of cricket devotees.
Perhaps the only sign of Ponting's advancing age was the stock he placed in his post-Ashes break. The rest, he said, had allowed him to revitalise both body and mind ahead of the final four one-day internationals against England and the ensuing Champions Trophy in South Africa.
"I haven't made a lot of runs in the last few one-day series I've played so it's probaby been a while since I've gone out there and struck the ball that cleanly from the start," he said. "The break was nice just to get home and freshen up and free my mind of the Ashes cricket that we'd played. I've worked hard on my batting since I've been back to get enough volume work to be able to go out there and play like I did today."
In this era of unrelenting schedules, weariness with the 50-over format has become commonplace. Four-innings matches, over reductions and even wholesale scrapping have been proposed as potential solutions to alleviate the tedium and restore context to a game that has fallen victim to money-driven boards and their ravenous broadcast partners.
Yet despite the apocalyptic overtones, limited-overs cricket has made a comeback of sorts over the past week. And while it had been suggested in some quarters that the format's survival could hinge on the skills of a new generation weaned on Twenty20 cricket, it is the current batch of veterans breathing new life into the ODI game.
On Saturday, Sanath Jayasuriya smashed a breakneck 98 against India in Colombo. Two days later, Sachin Tendulkar returned the favour with a scintillating 138. Then, on Tuesday, Ricky Ponting notched his first ODI century in more than 18 months, leading Australia to a thrilling victory over England at Trent Bridge with a stirling 126 from 109 deliveries. A week to savour.
By week's end, Ponting could well join Tendulkar and Jayasuriya in the top-three all-time ODI run-scorers. His mesmeric innings on Tuesday placed him within 47 runs of the third-placed Inzamam ul-Haq and, given his current form, few would back against him reeling in his former Paksitani counterpart over the final two matches of the series.
Ponting currently occupies third place on the all-time Test run-scorers' list behind Tendulkar and Brian Lara, and thoroughly deserves the "best since Bradman" tag bestowed upon him by many of his countrymen in recent season. But on a night when his personal achievement overshadowed all others in Nottingham, the Australian captain appeared more interested in discussing his side's mometum-gathering build-up to next week's Champions Trophy in South Africa.
"I haven't had much time to think about it," Ponting said. "The innings kept us on track with the run chase. Michael Clarke and myself got us in a position where it would've been disappointing if we hadn't won the game. I felt like I played well. It was a really good run chase and another good team effort. It just goes to show that we're heading in the right direction with our one-day cricket leading into the Champions Trophy."
Ponting's innings, coupled with a half-century to his deputy Michael Clarke, made short work of England's 299. The Australian captain capitalised on an ideal Trent Bridge wicket and a brisk outfield to raise his half-century in near even-time, then raced to his 27th career ODI century with a combination of withering blows - most notably off Adil Rashid - and judicious placement.
As with Tendulkar and Jayasuriya, Ponting's hunger, timing and reflexes have barely diminished in his twilight years, and his presence in the top order continues to serve as an example for those around him to follow. His sixes struck off Ryan Sidebottom and Rashid were no less powerful than those launched a decade ago; his magnetism at the crease still compelling spectators to watch at a time when saturation scheduling is sapping the passion of even the most devoted of cricket devotees.
Perhaps the only sign of Ponting's advancing age was the stock he placed in his post-Ashes break. The rest, he said, had allowed him to revitalise both body and mind ahead of the final four one-day internationals against England and the ensuing Champions Trophy in South Africa.
"I haven't made a lot of runs in the last few one-day series I've played so it's probaby been a while since I've gone out there and struck the ball that cleanly from the start," he said. "The break was nice just to get home and freshen up and free my mind of the Ashes cricket that we'd played. I've worked hard on my batting since I've been back to get enough volume work to be able to go out there and play like I did today."
Ponting masterclass secures another win
Ricky Ponting has already suffered the ignominy of surrendering the No. 1 Test ranking on this tour, but his final week in England may yet witness Australia's return to the summit of the 50-over game. Ponting produced his highest ever ODI total against England - a breathtaking innings of 126 from 109 deliveries - that provided the platform from which Australia launched a successful assault on England's intimidating 299.
Nothing short of a 7-0 series whitewash will allow Australia to usurp the top-ranked South Africans entering the Champions Trophy, and Ponting's 27th career ODI century delivered them to within two wins of the feat. Australia's fifth consecutive victory over England was sealed when Mitchell Johnson blasted Ryan Sidebottom for a straight six with four wickets in hand and 10 balls remaining, however it was the imperious batting of Ponting that will be remembered as the tide-turner.
The designated rest period has clearly done Ponting no harm. From the outset, his was an innings of sublime timing and intimidating power that England's bowlers could do little to repel. At one point, Ponting cuffed a Sidebottom delivery over the press box, but his most entertaining sequence came when he pounded consecutive sixes off Adil Rashid, who had the dubious honour of taking the second ball.
Ponting's only moment of trepidation came on 35 when, facing Dimitri Mascarenhas, Matt Prior removed the bails with his foot in motion behind the crease. The third umpire, Nigel Llong, found in his favour, however, allowing Ponting to resume his third-wicket stand with Michael Clarke, which produced 123-runs.
The Australians suffered a pair of setbacks when Tim Bresnan removed Tim Paine and Shane Watson, the latter for a well-struck 36 from 34 deliveries. But their exits drew Ponting and Clarke to the centre, and both appeared in an ominous mood from the outset. While Ponting powered out of the blocks, Clarke began his innings watchfully before steadily accelerating as the evening progressed. His penchant for scoring runs this series has not been in question, although his ability to do so quickly has emerged as a discussion point, particularly with the Twenty20 captaincy up for grabs. A return of 52 from 64 balls might not have ended the debate, but it did represent a higher gear than those which he has operated on thus far in the series.
England were left to rue a poor fielding display that undid much of their earlier work with the bat. Australia's final pair of Cameron White (24 not out from 15 balls) and Johnson (18 not out from 12) were too often allowed charity runs in the closing overs, turning a potentially tense finale into a relatively docile stroll.
Earlier, Eoin Morgan's flashing blade propelled England to their highest total of the series, and with it their best chance yet of ending Australia's fortnight of dominance. Morgan's frenetic innings of 58 from 41 deliveries featured an array of dazzling strokes, including powerful sixes to bring up England's 200 and his own half-century.
England seemed set for another middle order stammer when Owais Shah departed in the 39th over with the total at 192 for 5, however Morgan's late-innings partnerships with Mascarenhas and Stuart Broad provided the hosts first with ballast, and later authority. The Dublin-born left-hander made his move between the 38th and 42nd overs during England's batting Powerplay, at which time the hosts advanced their total by 45 runs, then proceeded to frustrate the Australians with powerful and occasionally improvised strokeplay, such as his stunning reverse sweep to the boundary off Nathan Bracken.
Bracken exacted revenge with his next delivery, though not before Morgan, who was dropped on 38 by juggling Michael Hussey at deep square-leg, had accelerated to his highest one-day international score since shifting allegiances from Ireland. At the time of his departure in the 48th over, England were well on course for a competitive total, and when Rashid blasted three boundaries from Johnson's final over, a intimidating score was in the books.
England's middle-order resurgence may not have come in time to save the series, but it will provide team management with a sense of optimism ahead of the Champions Trophy. Too often England's batsmen have been contained and subsequently dismissed by Australia's bowlers over the past few weeks, but on an ideal batting surface the hosts managed a display befitting of an international-standard limited-overs side.
Ricky Ponting has already suffered the ignominy of surrendering the No. 1 Test ranking on this tour, but his final week in England may yet witness Australia's return to the summit of the 50-over game. Ponting produced his highest ever ODI total against England - a breathtaking innings of 126 from 109 deliveries - that provided the platform from which Australia launched a successful assault on England's intimidating 299.
Nothing short of a 7-0 series whitewash will allow Australia to usurp the top-ranked South Africans entering the Champions Trophy, and Ponting's 27th career ODI century delivered them to within two wins of the feat. Australia's fifth consecutive victory over England was sealed when Mitchell Johnson blasted Ryan Sidebottom for a straight six with four wickets in hand and 10 balls remaining, however it was the imperious batting of Ponting that will be remembered as the tide-turner.
The designated rest period has clearly done Ponting no harm. From the outset, his was an innings of sublime timing and intimidating power that England's bowlers could do little to repel. At one point, Ponting cuffed a Sidebottom delivery over the press box, but his most entertaining sequence came when he pounded consecutive sixes off Adil Rashid, who had the dubious honour of taking the second ball.
Ponting's only moment of trepidation came on 35 when, facing Dimitri Mascarenhas, Matt Prior removed the bails with his foot in motion behind the crease. The third umpire, Nigel Llong, found in his favour, however, allowing Ponting to resume his third-wicket stand with Michael Clarke, which produced 123-runs.
The Australians suffered a pair of setbacks when Tim Bresnan removed Tim Paine and Shane Watson, the latter for a well-struck 36 from 34 deliveries. But their exits drew Ponting and Clarke to the centre, and both appeared in an ominous mood from the outset. While Ponting powered out of the blocks, Clarke began his innings watchfully before steadily accelerating as the evening progressed. His penchant for scoring runs this series has not been in question, although his ability to do so quickly has emerged as a discussion point, particularly with the Twenty20 captaincy up for grabs. A return of 52 from 64 balls might not have ended the debate, but it did represent a higher gear than those which he has operated on thus far in the series.
England were left to rue a poor fielding display that undid much of their earlier work with the bat. Australia's final pair of Cameron White (24 not out from 15 balls) and Johnson (18 not out from 12) were too often allowed charity runs in the closing overs, turning a potentially tense finale into a relatively docile stroll.
Earlier, Eoin Morgan's flashing blade propelled England to their highest total of the series, and with it their best chance yet of ending Australia's fortnight of dominance. Morgan's frenetic innings of 58 from 41 deliveries featured an array of dazzling strokes, including powerful sixes to bring up England's 200 and his own half-century.
England seemed set for another middle order stammer when Owais Shah departed in the 39th over with the total at 192 for 5, however Morgan's late-innings partnerships with Mascarenhas and Stuart Broad provided the hosts first with ballast, and later authority. The Dublin-born left-hander made his move between the 38th and 42nd overs during England's batting Powerplay, at which time the hosts advanced their total by 45 runs, then proceeded to frustrate the Australians with powerful and occasionally improvised strokeplay, such as his stunning reverse sweep to the boundary off Nathan Bracken.
Bracken exacted revenge with his next delivery, though not before Morgan, who was dropped on 38 by juggling Michael Hussey at deep square-leg, had accelerated to his highest one-day international score since shifting allegiances from Ireland. At the time of his departure in the 48th over, England were well on course for a competitive total, and when Rashid blasted three boundaries from Johnson's final over, a intimidating score was in the books.
England's middle-order resurgence may not have come in time to save the series, but it will provide team management with a sense of optimism ahead of the Champions Trophy. Too often England's batsmen have been contained and subsequently dismissed by Australia's bowlers over the past few weeks, but on an ideal batting surface the hosts managed a display befitting of an international-standard limited-overs side.
Malik ready for opening role
Shoaib Malik has said he is ready to take on the role of an opener in the upcoming Champions Trophy, but insisted he didn't want the position to be a makeshift one. Pakistan have included one specialist opener in the squad, Imran Nazir, and are likely to employ Malik or wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal as the other opener. "I have no problems opening the innings," Malik told reporters in Karachi. "I have done it before. But I don't want to be tried in this position for just two or three matches. I want to be given a proper chance for 10 to 12 matches."
Malik, who's played 181 ODIs, has opened the innings in 15 games, averaging 37.35 with two centuries and a fifty. He's opened just once this year. However, he added that to be considered a specialist opener, he had to be given an extended run to prove himself. "If I get to open in 10 to 12 matches then I can prove myself," he said. "I will feel comfortable in the role and I can carry on opening the innings in the future also."
Malik has had a poor time in ODIs in 2009, managing just one half-century in 11 games with an average of 21.44. He had a miserable tour of Sri Lanka, averaging seven in three matches. However, he dismissed any doubts over his place in the Pakistan side. "I struggled a bit in Sri Lanka but I am not out of form and I am confident of doing well in the Champions Trophy," he said. "I am well accustomed to the conditions in South Africa."
South African conditions are conducive to pace bowling, but Malik singled out batting as the key if Pakistan are to win the tournament. He has a fairly good record in South Africa, averaging 77.50 in five games with one half-century. "I know pace bowlers will have an important role to play in the tournament because of the conditions," he said. "But I know from experience that the batting is the most important thing while playing in South Africa. If our batting clicks we can win the competition.
"The team whose batsmen adjust well to the conditions in South Africa will fare well. I don't think they are any starting favourites in the tournament which is wide open as all teams are equally balanced."
Pakistan's only success this year came in the ICC World Twenty20, but their performance in ODIs has been disappointing: they've lost all three ODI series they've played. However, when asked if the lack of international cricket and the unfavourable results would be a factor for Pakistan in the Champions Trophy, Malik said: "I don't think so, because we are professionals and we have been training hard. The Sri Lanka tour was a long and hard one and we are prepared for the Champions Trophy challenge."
Pakistan end their training camp in Karachi on Wednesday, and leave for Johannesburg on Thursday.
Shoaib Malik has said he is ready to take on the role of an opener in the upcoming Champions Trophy, but insisted he didn't want the position to be a makeshift one. Pakistan have included one specialist opener in the squad, Imran Nazir, and are likely to employ Malik or wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal as the other opener. "I have no problems opening the innings," Malik told reporters in Karachi. "I have done it before. But I don't want to be tried in this position for just two or three matches. I want to be given a proper chance for 10 to 12 matches."
Malik, who's played 181 ODIs, has opened the innings in 15 games, averaging 37.35 with two centuries and a fifty. He's opened just once this year. However, he added that to be considered a specialist opener, he had to be given an extended run to prove himself. "If I get to open in 10 to 12 matches then I can prove myself," he said. "I will feel comfortable in the role and I can carry on opening the innings in the future also."
Malik has had a poor time in ODIs in 2009, managing just one half-century in 11 games with an average of 21.44. He had a miserable tour of Sri Lanka, averaging seven in three matches. However, he dismissed any doubts over his place in the Pakistan side. "I struggled a bit in Sri Lanka but I am not out of form and I am confident of doing well in the Champions Trophy," he said. "I am well accustomed to the conditions in South Africa."
South African conditions are conducive to pace bowling, but Malik singled out batting as the key if Pakistan are to win the tournament. He has a fairly good record in South Africa, averaging 77.50 in five games with one half-century. "I know pace bowlers will have an important role to play in the tournament because of the conditions," he said. "But I know from experience that the batting is the most important thing while playing in South Africa. If our batting clicks we can win the competition.
"The team whose batsmen adjust well to the conditions in South Africa will fare well. I don't think they are any starting favourites in the tournament which is wide open as all teams are equally balanced."
Pakistan's only success this year came in the ICC World Twenty20, but their performance in ODIs has been disappointing: they've lost all three ODI series they've played. However, when asked if the lack of international cricket and the unfavourable results would be a factor for Pakistan in the Champions Trophy, Malik said: "I don't think so, because we are professionals and we have been training hard. The Sri Lanka tour was a long and hard one and we are prepared for the Champions Trophy challenge."
Pakistan end their training camp in Karachi on Wednesday, and leave for Johannesburg on Thursday.
Wright ruled out of ODI series
England allrounder Luke Wright has been ruled out of the final two ODIs against Australia, after injuring the big toe of his left foot while batting against a bowling machine during practice at Loughborough on Monday.
Wright had missed the fifth ODI on Tuesday, which Australia won to take a 5-0 lead in the seven-match contest, and the injury was serious enough to rule him out of the rest of the series and put him in doubt for the upcoming Champions Trophy in South Africa.
The decision about his availability for the Champions Trophy, an England spokesman said, will be made after the conclusion of the ODI series. Dimitri Mascarenhas, who had replaced Wright for the fifth ODI, is likely to keep his place.
Wright is the second England player to injure himself while training this series. Joe Denly missed the first three matches against Australia after being brought down in a heavy tackle by Owais Shah during an intra-squad football match prior to the first ODI. The England team management has since barred players from playing football during warm-ups.
England, ridden by injuries, are already without star players Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff for the Champions Trophy.
England allrounder Luke Wright has been ruled out of the final two ODIs against Australia, after injuring the big toe of his left foot while batting against a bowling machine during practice at Loughborough on Monday.
Wright had missed the fifth ODI on Tuesday, which Australia won to take a 5-0 lead in the seven-match contest, and the injury was serious enough to rule him out of the rest of the series and put him in doubt for the upcoming Champions Trophy in South Africa.
The decision about his availability for the Champions Trophy, an England spokesman said, will be made after the conclusion of the ODI series. Dimitri Mascarenhas, who had replaced Wright for the fifth ODI, is likely to keep his place.
Wright is the second England player to injure himself while training this series. Joe Denly missed the first three matches against Australia after being brought down in a heavy tackle by Owais Shah during an intra-squad football match prior to the first ODI. The England team management has since barred players from playing football during warm-ups.
England, ridden by injuries, are already without star players Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff for the Champions Trophy.
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