posted Sep 10, 2007

I'd go for Ponting - his performances as a player and a captain have been great. His individual record plus a 5-0 ashes whitewash and World Cup win speak for themselves. Yes, he is surrounded by great players but that doesn't guarantee success.

Chanderpaul also deserves a mention - fantastic performances and attitude in a generally poor team.

Pieterson has stood out in a largely dissapointing year for england. He hasn't been perfect and I very much doubt he'll get the award but we do seem to turn on him every times he makes a mistake. Maybe the constant fault finding by the fans and the british media are contributing to his attitude not always being 100%.

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posted Sep 10, 2007

I thought Aleem Dar deserved the Umpire award this year. But then again you can't fault Taufell

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posted Sep 10, 2007

Can't argue with Ponting really. He's definately the best batsman in the world at the moment. His average has been steadily rising over the last few years (think his test average is up to 60!) so would suggest he's getting even better. Added to that the fact he's also one of the best fielders in the world.

Mohammed Youssuf had a great year as did Shiv Chanderpaul but I think they got it right with Ponting.

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posted Sep 10, 2007

No major surprises.

Ponting rightfully deserved the awards for cricketer of the year as well as captain of the year.

Yousef has been best batsman in test cricket in the past year. Can't question the decision.

Hayden hammered every bowler in the WC. Well ahead of others nominated for one-day player of the year.

Taufel was not at his best during the India vs England series, but I read in one of the English papers that the best umpire awards are not given on the basis of who makes least mistakes, but on the basis of feedback from the referees and captains, and general likability.

SL team generally plays the game in the right spirit and deserved the spirit of cricket award.

In the world team of the year, I would not have found room for Vaughan or Ntini. I would have picked Jayawardene or Kallis or Younis Khan or Dravid in place of Vaughan. Brett Lee or Zaheer Khan would have gotten my vote ahead of Ntini.

World ODI team of the year: I would have picked Hussey (12th man!!) ahead of Kallis in the XI.

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posted Sep 10, 2007

Depends what the criteria are.

Ponting is a consistently 1st-rate performer, however he has the luxury of playing in a great team.

People like Chanderpaul and Pietersen who can struggle away in poorer teams are in a way more admirable.]

I'd have given it to Shiv, but Ponting is a fine cricketer.

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posted Sep 10, 2007

I assume the awards were based on performance in the past 12 months rather than in 2007 so far.

Shiv Chanderpaul has played only 3 tests in 2007 - all vs England. In 2006, he averaged only 34 runs in 18 innings, with no centuries.

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posted Sep 10, 2007

Ponting wins matches, when he scores a 100 it changes the course of the match in quick time.

Chanders is a match saver only, putting his average and wicket above the teams needs.

If ponting was playing for a team as poor as the west indies and all he had to do was not get out he would probably average closer to 70.

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posted Sep 10, 2007

"Chanders is a match saver only, putting his average and wicket above the teams needs."

That's the biggest piece of nonsense i have ever heard. You sir, are a fool

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posted Sep 10, 2007

Thank God the nutty KP didn't win an award.

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posted Sep 10, 2007

can't say i can argue with the awards at all, a little surprised not to see Shivs name in the Test XI of the year given that he was nominated in the main award

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posted Sep 10, 2007

pretty good selections

Congratulations to winners expecially Ponting he may go dowen in OZ cricket as second to Bradman before he retires!

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posted Sep 10, 2007

This is similar to when they named Frank Lampard and Ronaldinho in the same sentence for world footballer of the year. Rediculous! Fully deserved by Punter. KP is a distant contender at best.

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posted Sep 10, 2007

this is an outrage
an abomination
are the judges all sitting locusts

i mean how on earth was Pieterson even noinated in the first place

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posted Sep 10, 2007

How didnt Australia get the spirit of cricket award lol! Who nominated them for that?

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posted Sep 10, 2007

Micael Vaughan in the ICC Test side HA HA HA HA!

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posted Sep 10, 2007

Chanderpaul is extremely underrated and is a test great in my opinion.

Having a average of 47 in a crap team is world class.

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posted Sep 11, 2007

If Pietersen didn't win an award - then YES the right people did win. Unless there was an award for the most selfish player of the year/biggest ego of the year. When looking at his performances this year and last - when has he not been batting only for himself? If he is this great batsmen we are all be told about (mainly by himself), why doesn't he break through and make the really big match winning scores, putting himself through the mill for his team-mates, rather than flashy fifties or low 100s, then getting out to a reckless shot. Ponting is the epitomy of what a quality and team minded cricketer is all about. Well deserved.

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posted Sep 11, 2007

Well done Punter. Gongs all over the shop.

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posted Sep 11, 2007

I really think that without doubt Mohammad Yosuf should have been cricketer of the year.

I think that his exploits were unbelievable and this is borne out by his record runs haul.


In the Umpire category, I honestly do not think that Simon Taufel or Mark Benson did as good a job as Steve Buckor over the last 12 months.

In the series in England Taufel was atrocious. His performance in the World Cup was also below par.

I honestly hope that this award is made based on the performance on the field and not on a colour question.

I my view Mr. Bucknor was the best umpire in the World Cup save for the debacle in the final. which investigation will show was not entirely his fault.

My other concern is that if Chanderpaul was shortlisted in two categories how was hew not in the test xi?

Something seems not right!

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