Jayawardene leads for CEAT Cricketer of the year award

New Delhi, Nov 1 (UNI) Stylish Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene leads the race for the CEAT International Cricketer of the year 2006-2007 award while Champions Trophy semi-finalists, the West Indies were the biggest gainer in Team Ratings, moving up to third in the latest list issued today.

Sri Lanka still tops the Team Rating list with a tally of 49 points with England closely following with 34. But the consecutive wins against Australia and India placed the Caribbeans to the third spot with 30 points. The South Africans are fourth with 20 points.

Four Sri Lankans feature in the top six international cricketer of the year with Jayawardene leading the pack with 74 points, followed by team mate Muttiah Muralitharan. Kumara Sangakara and Upul Tharanaga share the fourth spot along with Mohd Yousuf of Pakistan with 39 points.

CEAT international cricketer of the year 2006-07 ratings as on October 28.

Top five plaers overall: 1. Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka) 74 2. Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) 69 3. Chris Gayle (West Indies) 42 4. Kumara Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) 39 5. Upul Tharanga (Sri Lanka) 39 6. Mohd Yousuf (Pakistan) 39 Top Five batsmen: 1. Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka) 2. Upul Tharanga (Sri Lanka) 3. Mohd Yousuf (Pakistan) 4. Chris Gayle (West Indies) 5. Ian Bell (England) Top three bowlers: 1. Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) 2. Steve Harmison (England) 3. Jerome Taylor (West Indies) UNI PDS AY BS1543