Published: Dec 02, 2015, 12:50 PM (IST)
Edited: Dec 02, 2015, 01:41 PM (IST)
South Africa’s AB de Villiers, has been elected as the captain for the One-Day International (ODI) Team of the Year for an incredible fourth time in the last five years, he has chosen as captain for the first time. Among the players to be selected three South Africans make the list as Hashim Amla (also selected in 2003) and Imran Tahir. Kumar Sangarkarra, who has recently retired from international cricket is also selected in the team earning him his fourth nomination (2011,2012 & 2013). The list also features his team mate Tillakaratne Dilshan, who earlier was selected in 2009,2011 and 2013.
Australian captain Steven Smith features for the first time in the list after helping Australia win the world cup for the fourth time in their history of cricket. New Zealand’s Trent Boult also makes his debut in the ODI list along-side country mate Ross Taylor. Bangladesh sensation Mustafizur Rahman, 20, has become the first ever player to feature in the ODI team for his nation (Shakib Al Hasan- Test team 2009). Left arm pace bowler Rahman has had a brilliant one year so far, making a big impact on Bangladesh cricket with the national team winning home series after series. India’ lone contribution to the ODI team is Mohammad Shami, who has been nursing an injury since ICC Cricket World Cup. ALSO READ: No Indian in ICC Test Team of the Year; Alastair Cook named captain, Ravichandran Ashwin 12th man
The Chairman of the ICC Awards Selection Panel, Anil Kumble, said: “I would like to congratulate all the players for their selection in the Test and ODI teams of the year. It is an achievement for each of them to be proud of and a recognition for their good performances in the qualifying period.”
“Team selection is one of the toughest jobs and when you have a large pool of outstanding players to select from in a 12-month period then it becomes even more difficult. It was a particularly busy year, with a series of stellar performances throughout the Test and ODI formats, not least in a hugely successful ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, which has greatly enhanced the popularity and profile of the game internationally,” added Kumble.
“Testament to the quality of cricket played is the calibre of players to have missed out on selection. While selecting these squads, the selectors considered various combinations and took into account several factors in overall performances. Congratulations to all of the players on their selections,” concluded Kumble.
ICC ODI Team of the Year 2015 (in batting order)
Tillakaratne Dilshan (SL), Hashim Amla (SA), Kumar Sangakkara (SL) (wicketkeeper), AB de Villiers (SA) (captain), Steven Smith (Aus), Ross Taylor (NZ), Trent Boult (NZ), Mohammed Shami (Ind), Mitchell Starc (Aus), Mustafizur Rahman (Bang), Imran Tahir (SA) 12th: Joe Root (Eng)
