ICC names ODI Team of the Year

The International Cricket Council (ICC) today announced its World ODI Team of the Year, as chosen by a specially appointed selection panel chaired by Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar.

The announcement was made at the ICC Awards celebration at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg. Presented in association with FICA, the ICC Awards recognise the best international players of the past 12 months.

The World ODI Team of the Year (in batting order) is:

Matthew Hayden (Aus)
Sachin Tendulkar (Ind)
Ricky Ponting (Aus, captain)
Kevin Pietersen (Eng)
Shivnarine Chanderpaul (WI)
Jacques Kallis (SA)
Mark Boucher (SA, wicketkeeper)
Chaminda Vaas (SL)
Shane Bond (NZ)
Muttiah Muralidaran (SL)
Glenn McGrath (Aus)
12th man: Michael Hussey (Aus)

Seven countries are represented in the 12-man line-up and four players - Ricky Ponting, Michael Hussey, Shane Bond and Muttiah Muralidaran - also appeared in the World ODI Team of the Year in 2006.

Australia's Ricky Ponting was named captain of the World ODI Team of the Year, replacing Sri Lanka's Mahela Jayawardena, who was chosen for the role last year.

Chairman of the ICC Awards Selection Panel, Sunil Gavaskar, said his panel felt it had come up with a line-up that boasted considerable depth in both batting and bowling.

The World XI ODI Team of the Year was chosen by the ICC's selection panel made up of Gavaskar, the former India captain, and also including Chris Cairns, the former New Zealand all-rounder, ex-South Africa batsman Gary Kirsten, Iqbal Qasim, the former Pakistan left-arm spinner, and ex-England captain Alec Stewart.

Selection was based on performances between the voting period of 9 August 2006 to 8 August 2007. Statistics were available as a guide but were not necessarily a determining factor in the choices made.

Individuals selected for the Test and ODI Teams of the Year each receive a commemorative, hand-crafted cap which varies in style to reflect the different forms of the game. The caps were presented by former Indian opening batsman Gavaskar, chairman of the ICC selection panel.