Sri Lankan cricketer Kumar Sangakkara, right, watches as ICC Chief Executive David Richardson speaks during a media conference to announce the short-lists for the ICC Awards 2012 which are to be held on Sept. 15, in Colombo, Thursday. — AP COLOMBO – South Africa's rise to the top of the Test rankings was reflected in the International Cricket Council's (ICC) Test Team of the Year Thursday with four Proteas making it to the Michael Clarke-led side. Prolific batsman Hashim Amla and all-rounder Jacques Kallis were joined by pace bowling teammates Vernon Philander and Dale Steyn in the squad which has a fifth South African - AB de Villiers - as the 12th man. England, which surrendered the No. 1 tag to South Africa, had three representations in opener and newly-appointed Test captain Alastair Cook, wicketkeeper Matt Prior and pace bowler Stuart Broad. Not a single Indian made it to the squad which also includes Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka), Shivnarine Chanderpaul (West Indies) and Saeed Ajmal (Pakistan). “The selectors did utilize a vast amount of statistics from the period under observation, but we also took into account all other factors like the opposition, pitch conditions, match situation etc,” selection panel chief and former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd was quoted as saying in an ICC statement. “In the panel's expert opinion, it has selected the best team based on performances over the past 12 months.” South Africa also dominated the ICC annual award shortlist. Amla and Philander, along with Australia captain Clarke and Sri Lankan Sangakkara have been nominated both in the ICC Cricketer of the Year and Test Cricketer of the Year categories. The ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year category features four players from the teams that took part in last year's World Cup final in Mumbai. India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is joined by teammate Virat Kohli in the category along with the Sri Lankan duo of Sangakkara and Lasith Malinga.
Now in its ninth year, the ICC award ceremony is scheduled for Sept. 15 in Colombo. ICC Test Team of the Year: Alastair Cook (England), Hashim Amla (South Africa), Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka), Jacques Kallis (South Africa), Michael Clarke (Australia, captain), Shivnarine Chanderpaul (West Indies), Matt Prior (England - wicketkeeper), Stuart Broad (England), Saeed Ajmal (Pakistan), Vernon Philander (South Africa), Dale Steyn (South Africa); 12th Man - AB de Villiers (South Africa). — Reuters
