Shaun Pollock, South Africa’s sacked captain, and Nasser Hussain, who stood down as England’s one-day skipper after a disappointing World Cup campaign, have been included in Wisden’s five cricketers of the year.The 140th edition of the cricketer’s almanack conceded that their selection might cause surprise. But Wisden Editor Tim de Lisle argued: “The choice of Hussain and Pollock may raise eyebrows, as both led national teams to heavy defeats in Australia but, if we ruled out players who get hammered by the Australians, we wouldn’t have many left.”De Lisle said Hussain’s leadership skills had made him “England’s most influential figure in a generation” while Pollock remained “one of the world’s top two seamers, as well as a stylish batsman”. Pollock was sacked as captain after his side failed to get beyond the first round of the World Cup. South Africa, despite heading the world Test rankings, also lost five out of six Tests against Australia.Hussain, whose team lost the Ashes 1-4 and then also failed to progress from the World Cup’s first phase, stood down after the tournament, saying he no longer deserved a place in the one-day line-up. Wisden’s other choices as cricketers of the year — Michael Vaughan, Matthew Hayden and Adam Hollioake — were less controversial.England opener Vaughan was the world’s leading run-scorer in 2002. He has made seven centuries in his last 12 Tests, three of them against Australia, and is expected to be named as Hussain’s one-day successor next week. He averages 50.93 in Tests. Matthew Hayden of Australia is regarded as the most dangerous opening batsman in the world — he averages 51.66 in Tests, 43.13 in one-dayers and made 686 runs in six Test innings towards the end of last year against Pakistan and England.Adam Hollioake, while remaining on the fringes of the England side, won his award after leading Surrey to their third English county championship title in four years. He returned to the side last year after his brother and team mate Ben died in a car crash.
