Thaindian News

London, April 14 (IANS) Cricketers’ almanack Wisden has honoured Sachin Tendulkar as the leading player of 2010 and its Test XI has five Indians, reflecting the country’s pre-eminence in the game.

Tendulkar had a phenomenal 2010, amassing 1,500 Test runs and hitting seven Test centuries. India maintained their supremacy in Test cricket after bringing down Australia from the pedestal in November 2009. To cap it all, India went on to win the World Cup earlier this month.

“India are No.1 in the International Cricket Council Test rankings as well as the World Cup holders. One of their five players in the Wisden Test XI is Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who has been their captain for a few years — and India still have not lost a Test series under him. Dhoni is joined by Virender Sehwag, VVS Laxman, Zaheer Khan and Sachin Tendulkar, who is also Wisden’s Leading Cricketer in the World,” Scyld Berry, editor of Wisden, wrote in the Daily Telegraph.

After Virender Sehwag was named the leading cricketer of the year in 2008 and 2009, India’s domination continues with Tendulkar getting the nod now. Tendulkar also reached the milestone of 50 Test hundreds at the fag end of last year and he is currently one away from completing the magical 100 international centuries.

He also hit the first double century in One-day Internationals.

Surprisingly, the Wisden Test XI does not feature any Australian cricketer.

“At the other extreme: no Australian in this year’s Wisden Test XI, no Pakistani, no West Indian and no New Zealander. And this is not narrow-minded, UK-based myopia. The three selectors are Australian Ian Chappell, Pakistani Ramiz Raja and West Indian Ian Bishop. The editor is simply the convenor, with no vote except a casting one in the event of a tie,” says Berry.

Graeme Swann and James Anderson are the two chosen from England while South Africa is represented by premier all-rounder Jacques Kallis and pace sensation Dale Steyn.

Outgoing Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara and Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal complete the line-up.

Wisden Test XI:

Virender Sehwag (India), Tamim Iqbal (Bangladesh), Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka), Sachin Tendulkar (India), Jacques Kallis (South Africa), VVS Laxman (India), Mahendra Singh Dhoni (India, captain & wicketkeeper), Graeme Swann (England), Dale Steyn (South Africa), Zaheer Khan (India), James Anderson (England).