In April 2017 and October 2017, the ICC approved a number of changes to the ICC Awards aimed at bringing greater equity across the men’s and women’s games, simplifying the voting process and playing a more significant role in celebrating the sport, recognising achievements and engaging fans globally.
The changes approved include;
- Annualising the awards
- Streamlining the voting process
- Add a digital fans element to the voting process
- Build a media and digital programme around promotion of the awards
- Revision of awards presented (reflected in the table below)
Men’s | Women’s |
Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for Men’s Cricketer of the Year This award is for the best overall performer in International Cricket (Tests, ODIs and T20Is) during the Performance Period | Rachel Heyhoe-Flint Trophy for Women’s Cricketer of the Year This award is for the best overall performer in International Cricket (Tests, ODIs and T20Is) during the Performance Period |
Test Cricketer of the Year This award is for the best overall performer in Test Cricket during the Performance Period. | |
Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year This award is for the best overall performer in ODI Cricket during the Performance Period | Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year This award is for the best overall performer in ODI Cricket during the Performance Period |
T20I Performance of the Year This award is for the best individual performance in a T20I whether it be batting, bowling or an all-round performance, during the Performance Period | T20I Cricketer of the Year This award is for the best overall performer in T20I Cricket during the Performance Period |
Emerging Men’s Cricketer of the Year Must be under the age of 26 and played a maximum of 5 Tests, 10 ODIs and 5 T20Is prior to the performance period | Emerging Women’s Cricketer of the Year Must be under the age of 26 and played no more than 6ODIs and 10 T20Is prior to the performance period. |
Associate Men’s Cricketer of the Year This award is for the best overall performer in Associate or Affiliate cricket (ODIs, T20Is, 50 over League, ICC CWC Qualifier event and Intercontinental Cup) during the Performance Period. | |
Men’s Test Team of the Year This team shall be selected based on performances in Tests during the Performance Period | Women’s ODI Team of the Year This team shall be selected based on performances in ODIs during the Performance Period |
Men’s ODI Team of the Year This team shall be selected based on performances in ODIs during the Performance Period | Women’s T20I Team of the Year This team shall be selected based on performances in T20Is during the Performance Period |
Spirit of Cricket Award An action, moment, gesture or decision on the field of play in international cricket during the specified voting period which best reflects the Spirit of Cricket. The award shall be decided by the members of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires and Match Referees. Umpire of the Year Award This award is for the best overall umpire in International Cricket (Tests, ODIs and T20Is) during the Performance Period. The award will be voted on by the 10 Full Member Men’s Test captains and the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees from a list proposed by the ICC Cricket Operations Department. |
Voting Process
Men’s
Statistician group provides comprehensive stats from period
Voting Academy comprising twelve commentators and twelve journalists reflecting all Full Member nations
Voting will be online and Academy members will be required to cast three votes in order of preference – 1,2,3 for the individual awards and cast 11 players for each of the team awards.
Votes will be consolidated and where there are no clear winners or further discussion needs to be had around teams, this will be done via email.
Women’s
Statistician group provides comprehensive stats from period
Voting Academy comprising eight commentators / journalists reflecting all IWC participants with online vote for Individual Awards
Voting will be online and Academy members will be required to cast three votes in order of preference – 1,2,3 for the individual awards and cast 11 players for each of the team awards.
Votes will be consolidated and where there are no clear winners or further discussion needs to be had around teams, this will be done via email.
Timelines
Men’s
Consolidated stats for the year will be compiled by mid-December along with a narrative of the year e.g. outstanding performances, series saving innings etc. that may not necessarily be reflected in the stats.
These will be shared with the voting panel along with a small update, which will only highlight any significant performances that impact on stats on 30 December (after all cricket for the year is over).
Voting is online and open for five days. The Voting Academy will be asked to name their 1,2,3 choices for all awards and then name their Test team of the year and ODI team of the year (eleven players)
This will then be consolidated with a proposed winner (based on votes) for each individual award identified and teams drafted based on votes (it may be that 6-7 of the spots are widely agreed upon with the remainder to be discussed via email). If there is a tie in any of the individual awards then the VA will be asked to cast a vote on the winner.
The consolidated first round results will be shared with the Voting Academy electronically with discussion on final winners / positions in teams to be concluded over 2-3 day period.
A final list of winners is then circulated by 10 January and planning for an announcement on 15 January commences.
Women’s
Consolidated stats for the year will be compiled by end-Nov (or post the last women’s game of the year) along with a narrative of the year e.g. outstanding performances, series saving innings etc. that may not necessarily be reflected in the stats.
These will be shared with the voting panel 1 December (after all cricket for the year is over).
Voting is online and open for five days. The Voting Academy will be asked to name their 1,2,3 choices for all awards and then name their Test team of the year and ODI team of the year (eleven players)
This will then be consolidated with a proposed winner (based on votes) for each individual award identified and teams drafted based on votes (it may be that 6-7 of the spots are widely agreed upon with the remainder to be discussed via email). If there is a tie in any of the individual awards then the VA will be asked to cast a vote on the winner.
The consolidated first round results will be shared with the Voting Academy electronically with discussion on final winners / positions in teams to be concluded over 2-3 day period.
A final list of winners is then circulated by 10 December and planning for an announcement on 18 December.
Verification process
The votes are counted internally by ICC Management and verified by the ICC Internal Auditor
Disciplinary Breaches
Persons eligible for awards are subject to a number of disciplinary codes, including, but not limited to the ICC Code of Conduct, the Anti-Racism Code, the Anti-Corruption Code and the Anti-Doping Code (the “ICC Regulations”).
The ICC shall retain a general discretion to take into account the disciplinary behaviour of every awards nominee over the relevant performance period in deciding whether such person should be eligible for an award or whether, having been granted an award, he or she should be stripped of the award. This discretion shall reside with the ICC Chairman and CEO after consultation with the ICC Head of Legal and the ICC General Manager - Cricket. In exercising their discretion they shall act reasonably and proportionately at all times, taking into account all relevant factors, including: (a) whether the person has been charged, provisionally suspended and/or found guilty of any offence(s) under the ICC Regulations during the relevant period; (b) the nature of the offence(s) charged and the prospects of successfully defending any such charge (where a case is not yet concluded); (c) the sanctions (if any) that have been or are likely to be imposed against that person as a result of any offence(s) under the ICC Regulations; and (d) whether, in all of the circumstances of a particular case, the continued involvement (as applicable) of the relevant person would carry a serious risk of damaging the integrity of the sport and/or undermining the prestige of the ICC Awards.
