ECB chief intervenes to put Swann in ICC Cricketer of the Year Award nominees
ECB chief Giles Clarke intervened within time to include Graeme Swann’s name on the list of potential ICC Cricketer of the Year Award nominees. Swann was initially excluded from the list despite an extraordinary year he had. His inclusion eventually came after England & Wales Cricket Board’s chairman Giles Clarke intervened which led ICC to not only include Swann’s name on the list but they also to issue an apology in this regard.
In the initial list of 16 players, Swann was overlooked which came as a shock to ECB. Swann has been one the key players who have been responsible of re-emergence of English team recently. He played an instrumental role in England’s victory in T20 championship in Caribbean this year. ICC Cricketer of the Year 2010 will be given to a player for his outstanding performance during period of August 24, 2009 and August 10, 2010. During this period, Swann has taken 49 wickets in 10 Tests, 28 in 23 ODIs and 16 in 11 T20s. His bowling played a vital role in Caribbean as England won an ICC event for first time in its history. Swann is also currently top-ranked spinner in the ICC rankings. He is also nominated for Test Player of the Year. Giles http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120 has accepted that ECB’s intervention has allowed Swann to be included on the list. Commenting on his intervention, he said, “It is fair to say that the ECB made a very robust enquiry about why he was not on the list. I was given explanations for the players being on there, and some of them I found debatable. I was assured that the matter would be examined and told it would probably be a clerical error.”
On the other hand, ICC has issued an apology and termed Swann’s exclusion as ‘oversight’. ICC issued a complete apology after the news of Swann’s inclusion was made public. Chairman of ICC cricket committee Clive Lloyd, who headed the five-man selection panel, has apologised on behalf of ICC. Former http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Duncan-c54739 Fletcher.
Graeme Swann’s latest performance is reflection of his current form. He took six wickets in second Test match against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755, which enabled hosts to win second successive match inside four days. His contribution to English team was even praised by ECB’s chairman. Clarke said, “Graeme is immensely deserving. He has been the main reason why the team has not lost a Test series all year, and he played a key role when we won the World T20. He has played with great distinction in a style and spirit that is good for the game. What more did the poor man have to do to get on the list?”
Meanwhile, Swann has taken a humorous approach towards whole fiasco. England’s off-spinner said, “I saw on TV that I was in and I was expecting congratulations in the dressing room, but all I got was the mickey taken that I hadn't been in it initially. I don't know much about it, but I'm delighted to be on the long list, even it looks a tricky one to win with 16 other people. So fingers crossed.”
In addition to Swann, other players nominated for cricket’s biggest award are Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747 and West Indies’ players notably missing.
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