Dhoni and Strauss on awards shortlists

NEW DELHI – India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, opener Gautam Gambhir, England skipper Andrew Strauss and Australian speedster Mitchell Johnson have been nominated in two categories for this year’s International Cricket Council (ICC) awards.

The quartet are all contenders for cricketer of the year while Gambhir, Strauss and Johnson are also in contention for test cricketer of the year.Dhoni is on the shortlist for the one-day cricketer of the year award he won last year.Strauss led England from the front to a memorable home Ashes series win over Australia while Gambhir and Johnson were prolific during the year from August last year, the period considered for the prizes, an ICC release said on Tuesday.Sri Lanka batsman Thilan Samaraweera, who maintained his form on return from injury sustained when the team bus was ambushed by gunmen in Lahore in March, will also vie for the test player’s award.The one-day player shortlist features India’s Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh and Caribbean batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul.Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi and Umar Gul head the list for Twenty20 performances after steering the team to the World Cup in England this year.Sri Lankan batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan, whose innovative shots lit up the tournament, and West Indies skipper Chris Gayle have also been nominated for their performances in the event.Awards will also be given for emerging player, women’s cricketer and umpire of the year in Johannesburg on October 1.The test and one-day teams of the year will also be selected and an award given to the team who have adhered most to the spirit of cricket. – Nampa-Reuters