Colombo, Aug 30 (IANS) No Indian cricketer found a place in the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Test Team of the Year announced Thursday.
The team announcement was made by ICC Chief Executive David Richardson at the media conference for the short-lists for the ICC Awards here Sep 15.
Six countries are represented in the 12-man line-up and South Africa’s Dale Steyn earned a place in the side for the fifth successive year. The team was chosen by a specially-appointed selection panel chaired by West Indian batting legend Clive Lloyd.
It is the third year in a row that South Africa’s Hashim Amla and Jacques Kallis and Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara feature in the side, while England’s Alastair Cook and Stuart Broad appear for the second year in a row.
Australia’s current captain, Michael Clarke, is named as captain of the team.
Clive Lloyd said: “It is always tough to decide on the Test team with so many worthy candidates to consider based on performances between Aug 4, 2011 to Aug 6, 2012. The team once again has a strong batting line-up, while the bowlers are a tough combination of pace and spin who could dismiss any line-up on any surface.”
Lloyd was joined on the panel by former Sri Lanka batsman Marvan Attapatu, former England women’s captain Clare Connor, former West Indies all-rounder Carl Hooper and Australia’s World Cup winner Tom Moody.
The ICC Test Team of the Year is (in batting order):
Alastair Cook (Eng)
Hashim Amla (SA)
Kumar Sangakkara (SL)
Jacques Kallis (SA)
Michael Clarke (Aus, captain)
Shivnarine Chanderpaul (WI)
Matt Prior (Eng – wicketkeeper)
Stuart Broad (Eng)
Saeed Ajmal (Pak)
Vernon Philander (SA)
Dale Steyn (SA)
12th Man – AB de Villiers (SA)
