The hype around them notwithstanding, none of the 'Men in Blue' could make it
to the shortlist for ICC annual awards, which has the lone Indian representation
in Jhulan Goswami, nominated for the 'Women's Cricketer of the Year' category.
The long list for the ICC awards included Zaheer Khan and Anil Kumble
in the 'Test Player of the Year' category, while Yuvraj Singh made it to
the ODI list.
But when the 56-member ICC Academy pruned the list, the Team
India trio fell by the wayside.
Jhulan's new ball partner Rumeli Dhar, who was also named in
the initial list, also failed to make the cut in the shortlist.
Jhulan will have to stave off challenge from Lisa Sthalekar
(Aus) and Claire Taylor (Eng) to win the coveted title.
Meanwhile, Australian captain Ricky Ponting may bag
his second Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy as the Cricketer of the Year, which would
be presented at a gala function here on September 10.
Giving Ponting a tough competition would be Pakistan's run-machine
Mohammad Yousuf, who recently defected to the Indian Cricket League,
maverick England batsman Kevin Pietersen and seasoned West Indian Shivnarine
Chanderpaul.
Ponting, who secured the top award last year along with the
prize for being the top Test player, is the only player to make the short-list
in four categories this year.
The Australian, who led his side to Champions Trophy and World
Cup triumphs, is in the frame for Test Player of the Year, ODI Player of the
Year and Captain of the Year as well as the Cricketer of the Year awards.
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