Ponting makes short-list for ICC Awards 2006

Australian captain Ricky Ponting has been short-listed in no fewer than four categories of the ICC Awards 2006, which were announced today.

The 31-year-old Tasmanian has had an outstanding year with the bat, dominating at both Test and ODI level, and is included in short-lists of four for the awards in both those forms of the game. He is also potentially in line for the Player of the Year and Captain of the Year trophies, making the short-list in those categories as well.

Muttiah Muralidaran from Sri Lanka and Pakistan’s Mohammed Yousuf have also been short-listed for the Test Player of the Year Award while Ponting’s team-mate Mike Hussey is in the running for ODI Player of the Year as well as the top accolade.

In total, there are seven players on the short-lists for the top three individual awards, which will be presented at a gala evening at the Taj Land’s End Hotel in Mumbai on November 3. The best Test player will be one of Ponting, Yousuf, Muralidaran or Shane Warne; the best ODI player will be chosen from Hussey, Ponting, Yuvraj Singh and Mahela Jayawardene.

The short-lists were announced on Sunday after the votes were submitted by members of the voting Academy. The 56 Academy members were asked to vote for players nominated by a Selection Panel chaired by Sunil Gavaskar. The ICC Awards are presented by Hyundai in association with FICA (the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations).

In addition to the three main men’s individual and Captain of the Year awards, for the first time there is an award for the Women’s Player of the Year, as well as Emerging Player of the Year, Umpire of the Year and the Spirit of Cricket Award. The short-list for female players was selected by a panel of leading figures from the women’s game.

The short-lists were announced at the Cricket Club of India, Mumbai, by ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed, who said that he was delighted that the ICC was continuing to honour top players for the entertainment they provide for millions of people who follow the game.

“The past year has been another exciting one for cricket fans around the world and these players have contributed hugely to our enjoyment,” said Mr Speed. “This year’s ceremony will be the third annual ICC Awards night and it promises to be a fantastic evening with the results of some very tough decisions to be announced.

“It is also a pleasure that for the first time we will be presenting the award for the Women’s Player of the Year. Now that the women’s game is under the auspices of ICC it is important that we acknowledge the marvellous contribution that female players are making,” he added.

Arvind Saxena, Vice-President of sales and marketing for Hyundai Motor India, said: “Hyundai is proud to be involved in this initiative, which celebrates excellence in international cricket. These players give us so much pleasure for their wonderful performances that it is right that we mark it in some tangible way. Just as Hyundai Motor stands for excellence in design, technology and safety the world over, the awards acknowledge and celebrate the very best in cricket.”

Short-list for the Player of the Year Award
Michael Hussey (Australia)
Muttiah Muralidaran (Sri Lanka)
Ricky Ponting (Australia)
Mohammed Yousuf (Pakistan)

Short-list for the Test Player of the Year Award
Muttiah Muralidaran (Sri Lanka)
Ricky Ponting (Australia)
Shane Warne (Australia)
Mohammed Yousuf (Pakistan)

Short list for the ODI Player of the Year
Michael Hussey (Australia)
Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka)
Ricky Ponting (Australia)
Yuvraj Singh (India)

Short-list for Women’s Player of the Year
Karen Rolton (Australia)
Anjum Chopra (India)
Katherine Brunt (England)

Emerging Player of the Year
Alistair Cook (England)
Mohammed Asif (Pakistan)
Ian Bell (England)
Monty Panesar (England)

Captain of the Year Award
Rahul Dravid (India)
Michael Vaughan (England)
Ricky Ponting (Australia)
Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka)

Spirit of Cricket Award
India, England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka

Umpire of the Year Award
Aleem Dar, Rudi Koertzen, Simon Taufel