Besides the Indian players, Hashim Amla and Jacques Kallis from South Africa, Shane Watson and Doug Bollinger from Australia and Sri Lanka’s Mahela Jayawardene will feature prominently in the long-lists for the awards.

The nominations, which recognise cricketing achievement for the period between 24 August 2009 and 10 August 2010, were made by a five-man selection panel chaired by Clive Lloyd, chairman of the ICC cricket committee. The panel also includes former international players Angus Fraser, Matthew Hayden, Ravi Shastri and Duncan Fletcher.

This year’s awards comprise nine individual prizes and three team awards and includes, for the first time, a “People’s Choice Award” that will be decided by cricket fans around the world who will get a chance to vote for their favourite player online from a short-list of five cricketers selected by the ICC selection panel.

“The LG ICC Awards are an opportunity for the ICC and FICA to acknowledge and celebrate the remarkable performances of the world’s top players,” said ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat. “It is also a chance for followers of our great sport to reflect on some of the great cricketing feats they have witnessed over the past year. This will be the seventh time the awards have been handed out and picking the winners will not be an easy task for the voting academy.”

The LG ICC Awards ceremony is now in its seventh year and this year it will be held in Bengaluru, India. Previous ceremonies were held in London (2004), Sydney (2005), Mumbai (2006), Johannesburg (2007 and 2009), and Dubai (2008).

The skipper said Sri Lankan Cricket board is looking into the matter and will take suitable action. Gamesmanship, he said, was part of the game, but off-spinner Suraj Randiv’s no-ball was not right.

The no-ball incident that has already drawn a lot of flak from everyone, both in India and in Sri Lanka, had yet another twist on Wednesday when the Sri Lankan team manager Anura Tennekoon reported that it was opening batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan who suggested that Randiv bowl a no-ball to deny Sehwag a century during the tri-series match.

According to the Sri Lankan newspaper The Island, Dilshan, who was fielding at cover point, instructed Randiv in Sinhalese – “If you want, you can bowl a no ball”. Incidentally, both Dilshan and Sehwag play for Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League.

The controversy has brought a lot of embarrassment to the Lankan cricket board. Their manager has completed the inquiry and the six-member committee of the Sri Lanka Cricket Board will meet on Wednesday to decide whether to act against any player found guilty.

On Monday, with the scores leveled in the match, Sehwag was just one short of his 13th ODI hundred when Randiv, who had not bowled a no-ball in the Test or ODI series this season, bowled one which was hit by the opener for a six. However, it did not count because the no ball amounted to India’s winning run, leaving Sehwag on an unbeaten 99.

The Board made it clear that it had no intention of lodging a protest with its Sri Lankan counterpart. “Of course not. We are not thinking of lodging any complaint. These things happen in cricket. What is there to take up? Did New Zealand take up with Australia when the under-arm incident happened?” a Board source said.

He was referring to a 1981 incident when Trevor Chappell, on being instructed by his brother and Australian captain Greg Chappell, bowled an under-arm delivery to prevent New Zealand batsman Brian McKechnie from hitting a six from the last ball to tie the match.

Another BCCI source said that it was up to the ICC to take up the matter if it wanted. “ICC may want to take a look at this case and review its laws concerning no-balls,” the source said.

Last night, Sehwag was just one short of his 13th ODI hundred when Randiv, who had not bowled a no-ball in the Test or ODI series this season, bowled one which was hit by the opener for a six. However, it did not count because the no-ball amounted to India’s winning run, leaving Sehwag on an unbeaten 99.

Randiv’s actions were condemned by Sehwag in the post-match press conference. However, the issue seems to have subsided after the Lankan bowler offered apologies.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Cricket has initiated an immediate internal inquiry into the no-ball incident.

Rajiv Shukla, BCCI Media and Finance Committee chairman, addressing the media outside the Parliament, said, “If any player is feeling tired or fatigued or if he feels that he would not be able perform due to some illness, then he must inform the selector. BCCI policy is very clear. We will give the player rest. We are not forcing any player to participate in the series.”

This statement was in response to recent reports that the Indian players had sent an SOS to the Board, appealing it to cut down on the matches and do away with meaningless series. Shukla rebuffed reports claiming that the BCCI has received such a letter and rejected reports that the players are unhappy with the scheduling.

“We have not received any letter from any player saying that players are unhappy or complained about the schedule is absolutely wrong. There is no truth in it,” Shukla asserted. “The international calender is like that. But still we are working it out.”

India’s bowling unit has been been badly hit by injuries in the ongoing tour of Sri Lanka. The team is without pace spearhead Zaheer Khan, who is nursing a shoulder injury, while Ishant Sharma and Ashish Nehra are recuperating from niggles and are doubtful for Monday’s ODI tri-series match against Sri Lanka.

Dhoni advocated a more frequent rotational plan for the bowlers, given the workload on them. “Bowling department needs a bit more rotation compared to batting department. You have to see where exactly the bowler or the batsman is. Whether he plays a few more games or if he is given rest in the next few games. What will be the impact,” Dhoni said at the pre-match press conference.

“So, accordingly you decide if rest is needed. Then you give rest to the players so that they do not get injured and get some time to recover from niggles. That is the criterion when it comes to giving rest to someone. It has worked for us so far and I am just hoping that it will work for us in the near future,” he said. ”The workload on the bowler can be too much, if you see, specially those playing both the Test matches and the ODIs. That really challenges the limit. For batsmen, they don’t have to put in the same amount of effort compared to a bowler.”

Asked whether the burden needs to reduced at the domestic level, Dhoni said it is upto the individual player to decide on that.

“I think it is upto the individuals to do their best in whatever opportunities they get, whether it is domestic cricket, like the Duleep Trophy, the Challengers and the Deodhar Trophy. It is better, personally, if you can rest someone and prevent him from getting injured. You know that actually does not hamper his form. The kind of momentum that one gets because of good performances can just continue and he will always be in a positive frame of mind,” he said.

It has been a frustrating trip to Sri Lanka for the Indians so far. They laboured to a 1-1 draw in the Test series and lost by 200 runs to New Zealand in the opening match of the ODI tri-series, but Dhoni said the dressing room is still lively.

“We had some time off. So we tried to make the most of it. We had a few days off. I don’t think the spirit has been affected that much. Of course, it was a disappointing loss. So, hopefully, we will turn up on the field well prepared for the challenges,” he said.

Dhoni reiterated his displeasure over the practice wickets at the stadium. ”As far as the wicket is concerned, the players who went for practice during the last three days were not really happy with the kind of wicket that was provided. So, we are just hoping that the weather clears today and we get some time to practice. And hopefully, the wickets will be good,” he said.

Dhoni said the struggling Ravindra Jadeja could be replaced with a specialist batsman.

“One thing that Jadeja was really doing well for us was he was bowling really well. In fact, at times it seemed that we were playing with five specialist bowlers. So, if he is not doing that well with the ball, definitely we can offer to have one more specialist batsmen,” he said. ”If that number seven slot is not bowling that well, then it is always better to have a specialist batsman, but still I think Jadeja can do the job for us. I am just hoping he comes back to form and it is always good to have five bowlers, considering the majority of his performances that he has done with the ball.”

Dhoni said given the tight schedule it was vital to keep off cricket during the short breaks. ”It is important to switch on and switch off,” he said.

The Indians were bowled out for an embarrassing 88 in the tri-series opener and Dhoni hoped the young batsmen in the side have learnt their lesson as far as handling bounce is concerned.

“I think the youngsters who went for practice would have certainly got a bit of seam bowling because the wickets were very damp and there was lush green grass on the wicket. They must have seen that. I think whoever is part of the national side is talented enough to deal with any kind of condition or situation. I think it is just the mental side that we need to train a bit,” he said.

Dhoni said back-up pacer Munaf Patel, who has been called in as cover for Ishant Sharma, could get a game if he did well in the nets. “It is better to have a back up bowler. That is one of the reasons why Munaf is here. But we treat him as a part of the side, not a back up bowler. He also qualifies if he does well in the net sessions you know,” he said.

“Yuvraj Singh is not available for this game. He has dengue. But he is out of danger,” Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni revealed at the pre-match press conference.

Yuvraj has been battling poor form and fitness for quite some while and the latest setback just adds to his miseries. He missed the second Test against Sri Lanka due to flu and was taunted as “water boy” by fans when he came to the field to hand out drinks to his teammates.

Others on the doubtful starters’ list are pacers Ashish Nehra, nursing a thigh strain, and Ishant Sharma, who is recuperating from a knee injury.

“We are monitoring Ashish Nehra. He has got a bit of problem with his glute. So we will take the exact decision before the game. Ishant is shaping well. As of now these are the two players who may be missing out,” Dhoni said. ”Hopefully there won’t be any addition to the list by tomorrow.”

Dhoni, however, dismissed reports that Dinesh Karthik, who hurt his hand during the practice session on Saturday, is doubtful for Monday. ”Dinesh Karthik got hit on his thumb but he is fine and it is not a major concern,” he said. The injury-ravaged team is already without pace spearhead Zaheer Khan and opener Gautam Gambhir.

India lost the opening match to New Zealand by a massive 200 runs and need to win on Monday to remain afloat in the series.

“It shouldn’t matter which country they belong to. But we want to be in a position where we can sign on the best available players,” Bhattacharya told the Geo Super channel last night.

Kolkata Knight Riders recently entered into an MOU with Irfan, who is yet to play for Pakistan, after watching him bowl in a couple of practice matches in Sri Lanka. Irfan was invited to play in Sri Lanka by the KKR management on the recommendation of former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram, who is on the coaching staff of the team.

The KKR CEO, however, said that although the franchise had entered into an agreement with Irfan but his participation in the fourth edition of the IPL was totally dependent on the official rules and regulations of the league.

“We have signed an MOU with Irfan but so far the IPL franchises have not been told about any policy regarding participation of Pakistani players in the IPL,” he said.

Sources in the Pakistan Cricket Board felt that there were bright chances of Pakistani players finally playing again in the IPL next year because of some significant changes in the management of the IPL.

“For one, Lalit Modi is no longer on the IPL management board and he played an instrumental role in including our players names for the players auction this year and then influencing the franchises to ignore them completely,” a source said.

“With Modi no longer in power and a new set up running IPL affairs directly under the control of the Indian board, we are pretty confident this time our players will get a chance to play in the IPL. Our government is also now more responsive to sporting ties with India,” another source stated.

A number of Pakistani players took part in the IPL first season but didn’t feature in the next two editions because of strained political and diplomatic ties between the two countries. No Pakistani team or player is part of the Champions League, being held in South Africa from next month, either.

The same situation prevailed in the league when it was launched last year in India although Sialkot Stallions, led by former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik, have twice won the right to represent the country in the league by virtue of being the national T20 champions.

According to a report published in The Telegraph, Pietersen was approached by ECB’s senior management after the second Test against Pakistan at Edgbaston where he scored an innings of 80 runs.

“Kevin Pietersen has been warned by the England and Wales Cricket Board against having more meetings with Lalit Modi, the defrocked former commissioner of the Indian Premier League, after they were seen together in London before the first Test with Pakistan at Trent Bridge,” the report said.

In May, ECB chairman Giles Clarke had circulated an email warning county chairman and chief executives against meeting Modi until he is cleared by the BCCI disciplinary committee.

When asked about his meeting with Modi, Pietersen, who had first met him while playing for Bangalore Royal Challengers in the IPL, told the ECB that he had simply hooked up with an old mate for a beer, the report said.

The Baroda fast bowler was also a member of the squad for the preceding three-Test series against Sri Lanka bur did not get to play any of the match.

“Munaf Patel is joining the Indian team in Sri Lanka as an additional member of the squad. He will reach Dambulla tomorrow,” said BCCI secretary N Srinivasan in a media release today.

The 27-year-old bowler played the last of his 43 ODIs against Australia at Guwahati in November, 2009. He has been given a chance to resume his stop-start career in which he has taken 47 wickets at just under 33.

The Indian team, led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni, started its campaign on a poor note two days ago by crashing to a massive 200-run defeat against New Zealand at Dambulla.

The event runs up to August 28 with all the matches to be played at the same venue.

India squad: 1. Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), 2. Virender Sehwag, 3. Suresh Raina, 4. Virat Kohli, 5. Dinesh Karthik, 6. Yuvraj Singh, 7. Rohit Sharma, 8. Saurabh Tiwary, 9. Ravindra Jadeja, 10. Ashish Nehra, 11. Praveen Kumar, 12. Pragyan Ojha, 13. R Ashwin, 14. Abhimanyu Mithun, 15. Ishant Sharma, 16. Munaf Patel.

Flintoff has had two knee operations in the last 12 months and will be out of action for the entire season. Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who led Super Kings to their maiden IPL triumph this year, will continue to captain the side.

The foreign players who found a place in the squad are retired Sri Lankan spin-wizard Muttiah Muralitharan and Thilan Thushara, Australia’s Michael Hussey, Doug Bollinger and retired Matthew Hayden, and Albie Morkel of South Africa.

Three players from Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will play for their ‘away’ team rather than their ‘home’ teams. Jacques Kallis, Ross Taylor and Cameron White will line up for RCB in South Africa from September 10 after being named by their home teams as well as their IPL franchise.

Dean Kino, CLT20 Governing Council Member and Director of Legal and Business Affairs, said RCB will compensate the respective home teams for taking away the players.

“CLT20 regulations stipulate that with Jacques Kallis, Ross Taylor and Cameron White playing for their IPL franchise instead of their home teams, RCB must compensate the Warriors, Central Stags and Victorian Bushrangers USD 200,000 each respectively,” he said.

The 10 teams are loaded with stars, including Sachin Tendulkar, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Muttiah Muralitharan, Shaun Tait, Mahela Jayawardene, Dale Steyn, Kieron Pollard, Harbhajan Singh and Mike Hussey.

Airtel Champions League Twenty20 Final Squads:

Chennai Super Kings: MS Dhoni, S Badrinath, M Vijay, Suresh Raina, R Ashwin, Shadab Jakati, A Srikkanth, L Balaji, Muttiah Muralitharan, Michael Hussey, Doug Bollinger, Thilan Thushara, Albie Morkel, Matthew Hayden, Joginder Sharma. Warriors: Davy Jacobs, Ashwell Prince, Colin Ingram, Mark Boucher, Johan Botha, Nicky Boje, Craig Thyssen, Juan Theron, Makhaya Ntini, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Justin Kreusch, Garnett Kruger, Arno Jacobs, Lyall Meyer, Jon Jon Smuts.

Victoria Bushrangers: David Hussey, Ryan Carters, Aaron Finch, Shane Harwood, John Hastings, Brad Hodge, Andrew McDonald, Bryce McGain, Clint McKay, Glenn Maxwell, Dirk Nannes, James Pattison, Rob Quiney, Peter Siddle, Matthew Wade.

Wayamba: Jehan Mubarak, Mahela Udawatte, Mahela Jayawardene, Jeevantha Kulatunga, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Kushal Janith Perera, Rangana Herath, Chanaka Welegedara, Ajantha Mendis, Farveez Maharoof, Thissara Perera, Damitha Hunukumbura, Shalika Karunanayake, Isuru Udana, Sameera Zoysa.

Central Districts: Adam Milne, Bevan Griggs, Brad Patton, Brendon Diamanti, Doug Bracewell, George Worker, Jacob Oram, Jamie How, Kieran Noema-Barnett, Matthew Sinclair, Michael Mason, Mitchell McClenaghan, Peter Ingram, Seth Rance, Tim Weston.

Mumbai Indians: Shikhar Dhawan, Sachin Tendulkar, Ambati Rayudu, Saurabh Tiwary, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, R Sathish, Ali Murtaza, Dhawal Kulkarni, Aditya Tare, Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo, JP Duminy, Lasith Malinga, Ryan McLaren.

Royal Challengers Bangalore: Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid, Robin Uthappa, Manish Pandey, Praveen Kumar, R Vinay Kumar, Virat Kohli, Cameron White, Ross Taylor, Dale Steyn, Jacques Kallis, Dillon du Preez, B Akhil, Abhimanyu Mithun, Nayan Doshi.

South Australia: Cullen Bailey, Daniel Harris, Graham Manou, Daniel Christian, Gary Putland, Peter George, Callum Ferguson, Michael Klinger, Jake Haberfield, Tim Ludeman, Shaun Tait, Tom Cooper, Chris Duval, Cameron Borgas, Aaron O’Brien, Cullen Bailey.

Guyana: Ramnaresh Sarwan, Royston Crandon, Lennox Crush, Travis Dowlin, Sewnarine Chattergoon, Narsingh Deonarine, Jonathan Foo, Derwin Christian, Christopher Barnwell, Esuan Crandon, Devendra Bishoo, Assad Fudadin, Paul Wintz, Steven Jacobs, Richard Ramdeen.

Lions: Alviro Peterson, Thami Tsolekile, Craig Alexander, Shane Burger, Richard Cameron, Werner Coetsee, Cliffe Deacon, Zander de Bruyn, Robert Frylinck, Neil McKenzie, Ethan O’Rielly, Aaron Phangiso, Jean Symes, Jonathan Vandiar, Vaughn van Jaarsveld.