Dubai, Aug 26 (IBNS) Chairman of the LG ICC Awards Selection Panel and Chairman of the ICC Cricket Committee Clive Lloyd admits choosing the ICC Test Team of the Year 2011 was not an easy task, on this week’s LG ICC Awards 2011 special ICC Cricket World Radio Show.

“It was a difficult task this year to choose the teams of the year and also our long-lists as we had a lot of exciting cricket to look at in the observation period. Some excellent performances came from all the teams, we looked at averages and how the teams performed as a unit and I think our panel knowledge helped us to come up with the right team this year for the ICC Test Team of the Year.

“Because of so many performances this year, someone will inevitably miss out but if you look at our team I think we’ve got a good balanced side, really truly I think we came out with the right teamâ€� says Lloyd who chaired the panel of experts alongside former South Africa spin bowler Paul Adams, former Pakistan batsman Zaheer Abbas, former New Zealand bowler-turned-commentator Danny Morrison and former England batsman Mike Gatting.”

Based on the period between 11 August 2010 and 3 August 2011, the LG ICC Awards 2011 – presented in association with FICA – take into account performances by players and officials in a remarkable period for the game.

“I don’t think anyone should be slighted for not being on the short-lists. It was an extremely close run contest this year in all the categories and everyone performed well over the period. Ultimately, you can only have four players in each short-list and the independent voting academy chose the short-lists,� adds Lloyd on the recently announced lists.  

Also on this week’s show, Australia’s Shane Watson talks about his nominations in the ICC ODI Player of the Year and ICC Twenty20 International Performance of the Year categories. The 30-year-old Queenslander also talks about the upcoming series in Sri Lanka and the captaincy of Michael Clarke.

“I’m very excited. It’s always a great honour to be nominated in a couple of categories, let alone being short-listed. I’m not sure how bright my chances are but I’m thrilled to be in the category with three extremely talented players in Hashim Amla, Kumar Sangakkara and Gautam Gambhir, all of whom have had fantastic years,� says Watson.

“My personal highlight for this year was getting 161 against England at the MCG is something I thought I would never achieve. Also, getting 185 against Bangladesh at Sher-e-Bangla in Dhaka in April and breaking Matt Hayden’s record knock is something I cherish,� adds Watson.

Also on the show is West Indies pair of Devendra Bishoo and Stafanie Taylor who have both been short-listed for this year’s awards. Bishoo has been short-listed in the category for ICC Emerging Player of the Year while Taylor has been short-listed for the ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year award.

Bishoo says of the honour: “It was a huge surprise to be announced as one of the players,. I’m really quite nervous about being on the short-list. I’ve been dedicating myself to my cricket and trying to get wickets throughout the year. Making my debut in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 was really something special for me this year.�

Meanwhile, Taylor says: “ It feels great to be short-listed for this year’s award and hopefully this time around I have a chance to win. I’ve worked really hard throughout the year on my game and my ultimate goals are to be number-one in the world on the Reliance ICC ODI Women’s Player rankings and to win this ICC award. Hopefully I’ve done enough this year to win the trophy.�

Finally, Zimbabwe’s captain Brendan Taylor reflects on a positive Test and ODI series victory over Bangladesh recently in Harare and looks ahead to facing Pakistan. “It’s nice to see not only spinners Prosper Utseya and Raymond Price but Brian Vitori and Keegan Meth with the new ball too. Nice to see guys playing as a collective unit and giving everything to the team,� says Taylor.

“I think we’re mentally prepared to face Pakistan. We had an excellent preparation and it’s exciting times and a good chance for some of these guys to shine. We’re really excited,� adds Taylor.