ICC Awards 2018: 5 leading contenders for Cricketer of the Year award

2018 has witnessed some stunning cricketing action so far. There was no shortage of drama, fun, and intense battles as top cricketing nations fought hard for supremacy. Even after the humiliating 4-1 series defeat against England, Indian remains the No.1 Test side in the world.

England occupies the No.1 spot in One Day Internationals while Pakistan takes the top spot in Twenty20. Virat Kohli is the No.1 batsman in ODIs and Tests while James Anderson moves to the top spot in Tests after a successful series against India. Bumrah takes the top ranking in ODIs.

International Cricket Council (ICC) started ICC Awards in 2004 and has honored international cricketers in various categories and formats. The Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy, famously known as, ICC Cricketer of the Year, is awarded to the best player of the year across formats.

Four Indians have won the award since 2004 and Virat Kohli was the lastest one in 2017. We are only a few months away from the 2018 awards and there are a quite few players who are in contention for the ultimate glory. Though it could change in the next few months, we have some clear front-runners.

On that note, let’s take a look at the 5 leading contenders for 2018 ICC Cricketer of the Year award.

#5 Jonny Bairstow

England v India: Specsavers 5th Test - Day One

The Yorkshire man is one of the most improved cricketers this year. With 970 runs in 19 One Day Internationals at an excellent average of 51.05, the Englishman is currently the highest run-getter in ODI cricket this calendar year.

The 28-year-old has struck four hundreds and two fifties already this year at a strike rate of 121.09 and was ruthless at the top. Though he wasn’t prolific in Test cricket with 484 runs in 10 Tests, he has proved effective in the middle-order and played some useful innings.

England will play at least five more ODI matches and three Tests before the end of the year and Bairstow has every opportunity to add to his run tally. With the kind of form he is right now, Bairstow is expected to score heavily for the rest of the year.

#4 Kagiso Rabada

South Africa v Australia - 4th Test: Day 5

He is arguably the most promising young fast bowler in the world right now. The 23-year-old was phenomenal for South Africa during the last two seasons and bowled with a lot of pace. In the absence of Dale Steyn, Rabada has led South Africa pace attack well and was hugely successful. Rabada has already picked up 151 wickets in just 32 Tests and 80 wickets in just 50 One Day Internationals.

In 2018, the South African seamer has picked up 46 wickets in nine Tests. He is currently the highest wicket-taker in Test match cricket for 2018 with two five-wicket and a one 10-wicket haul. He has also picked up 11 wickets in nine ODI games. A few months ago, Rabada was named South African Cricketer of the Year.

#3 Jos Buttler

England v India: Specsavers 5th Test - Day Two

The wicket-keeper batsman is arguably the most destructive batsman in limited-overs cricket at the moment. Jos Buttler has been exceptional for England in the last 12 months and was mighty effective for the English side. He has played some scintillating knocks this season and destroyed almost every bowler he faced.

The 28-year-old has scored 643 runs in 18 One Day Internationals at a stunning average of 58.45 and a strike rate of 114. He has single-handedly won games for England this year and was simply unstoppable. Buttler has also scored 510 runs in seven Tests at an average of 46.36. He has also amassed 233 runs in eight Twenty20 Internationals.

#2 Joe Root

England v India: Specsavers 5th Test - Day Five

One of the of the most accomplished cricketers in the world, Joe Root has been in scintillating form across formats throughout the season. Root has scored 719 runs in 10 Tests and captained his team well. England defeated India 4-1 in the recently concluded Test series and Root scored a hundred in the final game.

The English Test captain has been equally effective in the 50-over format as well. The 27-year-old has scored 800 runs in 18 ODI games at a stunning average of 61.53. He is currently the second highest run-getter in both formats of the game and was extremely consistent all through the season.

#1 Virat Kohli

England v India: Specsavers 5th Test - Day Five

The Indian captain is arguably the greatest batsman of our generation. The 29-year-old has been consistent throughout his international career and is at the peak right now. He has been scoring a lot of runs over the past few years and 2018 is no different. Virat Kohli is currently the highest run-getter in Test matches this calendar year with 879 runs in eight Tests.

He has also been in phenomenal form in One Day Internationals as well. Kohli has scored 749 runs in just nine ODI games at an unbelievable average of 124.83. Kohli has struck three hundreds and three fifties in nine ODI innings and dominated almost every bowling attack in the world. Second consecutive Cricketer of the Year award is on the cards for Kohli.