Graeme Swan(n)song Neglected for ICC Top Prize

The nominations for the ICC Cricket awards were announced yesterday by a panel comprising of ICC cricket committee chairman Clive Lloyd, Angus Fraser of England, Matthew Hayden of Australia, Ravi Shastri of India and Zimbabwe’s Duncan Fletcher, also the former England coach. Six Australians and no Englishmen up for the top prize of cricketer of the year.

Congratulations Mathew Hayden! Commiserations Angus Fraser…

Oscars, Golden Globe, Forbes list or even our hazaar Bollywood awards throw up the odd surprise and cricket is no different. The most notable one being the absence of Graeme Swann from the shortlist (rather longlist!) .

Graeme Swann – Missed the catch?

49 Test wickets at 27.55 and 28 one-day wickets at 23.28 in the qualification period speaks highly of a man responsible for steering the perennially under achieving England cricket team to the World Twenty20 Trophy, a Series ODI victory over arch rivals Australia and a clean sweep home and away against minnows Bangladesh. Another player unlucky to miss out is Mohammed Asif (51 Test wickets at 23.39) and very much a part of a fearsome threesome pace attack for Pakistan. No complaints from India with Sehwag, Sachin and Dhoni making the cut.

Watch out for the relatively unknown Paul Stirling who celebrated his nomination in Emerging Player of the year and Associate Player of the Year categories for this year’s ICC awards with a trademark, quick-fire half-century for Ireland yesterday. Another key battle on the cards will be between Simon Taufel whose streak of 5 consective best umpire awards from 2004 – 2008 was broken last year by Aleem Dar who will be his closest competitor this time as well. Roll Out the Red Carpet!

Cricketer of the Year NomineesMahendra Singh Dhoni (Ind)Virender Sehwag (Ind)Sachin Tendulkar (Ind)Hashim Amla (SA)Doug Bollinger (Aus)Michael Clarke (Aus)Ryan Harris (Aus)Mitchell Johnson (Aus)Jacques Kallis (SA)Morne Morkel (SA)Ricky Ponting (Aus)Kumar Sangakkara(SL)Dale Steyn (SA)Daniel Vettori (NZ)AB de Villiers (SA)Shane Watson (Aus)

Breaking News: Graeme Swann has been added to the shortlist as ICC have issued a statement saying that his earlier omission was a “genuine mistake”.