Status quo in cricket - sponsored by the ICC awards

The fact that the Indian team continues to fluff its lines in finals of one-day tournaments isn't the only indicator that status quo persists. The ICC's picks for the various awards are pretty much the same as last year.

Last year's nominations for the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy, given to the player of year, were Dravid, Flintoff, Harmison, Hayden, Kallis, Lara, Laxman, Murali, Ponting and Sehwag. Dravid won the award. This year's list reads: Dravid, Flintoff, Gilchrist, Inzamam, Kallis, McGrath and Ponting.

Last year's nominations for the Test player of the year were: Dravid, Flintoff, Gilchrist, Gillespie, Harmison, Hayden, Kallis, Lara, Laxman, Murali, Ponting, Sehwag. This year's list is Chanderpaul, Gilchrist, Inzamam, Kallis, Lara, Martyn, Kumble, McGrath, Ponting, Kaneria, Sangakkara, Sehwag, Harbhajan, Warne and Younis Khan.

Last year's nominations for the one-day player of the year were: Fleming, Flintoff, Gayle, Gilchrist, Gillespie, Hayden, Kallis, Laxman, Murali, Pollock, Ponting, Razzaq, Streak, Symonds, Tendulkar, Vaas and Vettori. This year's picks are Dravid, Flintoff, Gibbs, Gilchrist, Inzamam, Lee, McGrath, Kemp, Pietersen, Ponting, Sangakkara, Shoaib Malik, Smith, Symonds, Trescothick, Vaas, Vettori and Youhana.

Spot the differences please. Hang on, there is one BIG name missing. He has been elbowed out. In fact, his participation in the Super Series is under a cloud and he needs to confirm his availability by next week.

The selection panel comprises Sunil Gavaskar, David Gower, Sir Richard Hadlee, Rod Marsh and Courtney Walsh. No place for Athar Ali Khan.

Oh, and I am sticking my neck out on my picks for the "Insert your favourite sponsor here" ICC awards.

Player of the year: Flintoff
Test player of the year: Sehwag
ODI player of the year: Inzamam
Emerging player of the year: Pietersen

What are your selections? Chatter away.

Labels: icc awards, pietersen