OUR SPORT WILL CHEER ON SHRUBSOLE IN SPOTY... BUT WHERE ARE THE MEN?

England Women's star Anya made the shortlist for the prestigious BBC award but no man has since 2013

If Ashes glory in 2015 could not swing it, then it came as no surprise to see an absence of male cricketers on the shortlist for BBC Sports Personality of the Year again.

The Cricketer is delighted to see World Cup winner Anya Shrubsole among the dozen; her spell of five wickets in 19 balls, to claim 6 for 46, against India in the Word Cup final at Lord’s was breathtaking. Unlike some of the nominations over the years, she also showed some actual ‘personality’, especially when consoling South Africa captain Dane van Niekerk after the semi-final. Our sport will be rooting for her.

But where are the men again?

Joe Root made a Test century each against South Africa and West Indies, leading England to victory in both series, his first as captain.

Moeen Ali scored runs and took wickets (including a hat-trick against South Africa at The Oval) and is emerging as a totem for the integration of British Muslims into the English game.

James Anderson rolled back the years with brilliant series against both touring sides.

None made the shortlist, however, which included Elise Christie, the short-track speed skater, and Bianca Walkden, from taekwondo.

^{Ian Bell was the last male cricketer on a SPOTY shortlist}

Admittedly cricket did not make such an impact this summer as it did two years ago. Stuart Broad – even after his spell of 8 for 15 against Australia at Trent Bridge – and Joe Root missed it, a baffling decision that even saw host Gary Lineker tweet: “Not going to lie, I'm shocked Joe Root is not on the @BBCSPOTY shortlist.”

Ian Bell was the last male cricketer to be nominated, in 2013, again after Ashes glory.

There have been only four cricketers triumphing in the 63 years of the show.

They were Jim Laker in 1956, after his stunning 19 for 90 against Australia at Old Trafford; David Steele in 1975, the ‘bank manager who went to war against the Australians’; Ian Botham in 1981 – legend incarnate; and Andrew Flintoff in 2005, again after Ashes heroics. Cricket has also provided three runners-up and a trio of players who have finished third.

Considering football’s dominance, surprisingly it has provided only five winners. In fact to be fair to the award, stars from individual sports have dominated. There have been 17 athletes, seven formula one drivers, and six from tennis winning. The current holder, Andy Murray, has won it three times, a record.

It is hoped that cricketers will reappear regularly once the new TV deal kicks in from 2020–24; that sees cricket return in limited form (13 live T20 men’s games plus eight women's) to the Beeb.

BBC Sports Personality of the Year will be held in Liverpool on Sunday December 17. Sir Mo Farah, Chris Froome, Lewis Hamilton, Anthony Joshua, Harry Kane, Johanna Konta, Jonnie Peacock, Adam Peaty and Jonathan Rea are the other contenders.

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