ICC Unveils Shortlist for Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for Men’s Cricketer of the Year
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the nominees for the prestigious Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for Men’s Cricketer of the Year. The list features England’s Joe Root and Harry Brook, Australia’s Travis Head, and India’s star pacer Jasprit Bumrah.
Joe Root (England)
Currently the top-ranked Test batter, Joe Root has had a phenomenal year, amassing 1,556 runs in 17 Tests at an average of 55.57. Despite a brief challenge from teammate Harry Brook for the top spot in Test rankings, Root reclaimed his position after Brook’s dip in form during the third Test in New Zealand.
Harry Brook (England)
Harry Brook showcased remarkable talent earlier in the year, including a maiden triple century against Pakistan in October, contributing to England’s third-highest Test total. However, his form dipped later in the year, affecting his ranking.
Jasprit Bumrah (India)
India’s Jasprit Bumrah earned his place on the shortlist with outstanding performances in Tests and T20Is. The right-arm pacer has taken 71 wickets in 13 Tests at an average of 14.92, including best figures of 6/45. In T20Is, he bagged 15 wickets in eight matches with an impressive average of 8.26 and an economy rate of 4.17.
Travis Head (Australia)
Australia’s Travis Head has been a pivotal player across formats. He finished among the top run-scorers in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 and played a crucial role in Australia’s ICC World Test Championship defense. In 2024, Head scored 608 runs in nine Tests at an average of 40.53, with a highest score of 152. He also accumulated 539 runs in 15 T20Is with an exceptional strike rate of 178.47.
These four players have demonstrated outstanding performances throughout the year, making the race for the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy highly competitive.
