Dubai: Australia’s Mitchell Johnson and Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara were on Wednesday named among the nominees for the 2014 Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy, meaning they are both in the running to become the first player to claim the honour twice.
The pair were shortlisted for the LG ICC Awards 2014 at the International Cricket Council (ICC) headquarters here, with another Sri Lankan, Angelo Mathews, and South Africa’s AB de Villiers also in contention for the main prize.
Johnson previously won the award in 2009, while Sangakkara took it in 2012.
Performances between August 26, 2013, and September 17, 2014, were eligible for consideration and, in that time, Johnson bagged 59 wickets in eight Tests at an impressive average of 15.23. That included two five-wicket innings and one 10-wicket match haul.
The left-arm fast bowler was also impressive in 50-over cricket, as he notched 21 wickets in 16 matches at an average of 33.04 with an economy rate of less than five runs per over.
Sangakkara was the leading run-getter during the same period with 1,502 runs in 11 Tests, including four centuries and nine half-centuries. The left-hander averaged just over 75. In 26 ODIs, Sangakkara scored 1,046 runs at an average of just under 42 with three centuries and seven half-centuries.
Sri Lanka captain Mathews was the second highest run-getter in Tests with 1,292 at an average of 92.28 and also had 965 runs in 28 ODIs at an average of just under 54.
De Villiers scored 932 runs in 10 Tests at an average of 54.8 and 963 runs in 20 ODIs at an average of more than 60.
The winners will be announced on November 14, while a special TV show will be broadcast on November 15.
Johnson, Mathews and Sangakkara, as well as Australia opener David Warner (1,066 runs in eight Tests), have also been shortlisted for the ICC Test Cricketer of the Year award.
There is stiff competition for the ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year award, with Quinton de Kock, De Villiers, Virat Kohli and Dale Steyn contenders.
