BLACKCAPS short-listed for award

The BLACKCAPS have been short-listed for the ICC Spirit of Cricket Awards as the list of nominations for the ICC Cricket Awards was announced in Mumbai.

It is the second time the team have been nominated to receive the award, which recognises the international side which has adhered most strongly to the game’s key tenets.

The BLACKCAPS won the first ICC Spirit of Cricket Award in 2004.

The other teams nominated are India, Sri Lanka and England, the 2005 winner.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting dominates the individual nominations.

The 31-year-old is listed in the Test and ODI Player of the Year, Overall Player of the Year and Captain of the Year categories.

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.

ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed said: “The past year has been another exciting one for cricket fans around the world and these players have contributed hugely to our enjoyment.

“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.”

The winners will be announced at the ceremony on 3 November in Mumbai.

ICC Cricket Awards 2005/06 Nominees

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

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

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

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