Australian captain Ricky Ponting is favoured to cap a superb 2006/07 by becoming the first player to claim back-to-back cricketer of the year trophies in the short history of the ICC Awards.
Ponting has been nominated in four categories - Test, one-day, captain and overall cricketer of the year - and could well find himself leaving with a bag full of silverware when the awards are presented on the eve of the Twenty20 World Championship in Johannesburg.
The individual acclaim would complete one of the most successful seasons for an Australian captain with Ponting leading his side to an Ashes whitewash, Champions Trophy win and third straight World Cup triumph in 2006/07.
Pakistan's Mohammad Yousuf, England's Kevin Pietersen and West Indian Shivnarine Chanderpaul are the other players shortlisted for the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy - which perhaps more so than in previous years, could see one-day cricket have the biggest bearing, given almost all countries played only a handful of Tests over the 12-month period dominated by limited overs.
There were concerns Ponting would miss the fourth edition of the awards as he delayed his departure to South Africa to remain with his ill wife in Australia last week.
But organisers would no doubt have breathed a sigh of relief when the skipper confirmed on Friday that he would not only play in the Twenty20, but would also be in Johannesburg in time for the award's night - particularly as Yousuf is already a confirmed absentee.
The rebel Pakistani has signed to play in the breakaway Indian Cricket League and remains at loggerheads with the Pakistan Cricket Board, who had threatened life bans for players who joined the ICL.
He is currently believed to be in Pakistan's North West Frontier Province on a religious pilgrimage.
Yousuf would appear Ponting's main rival for the main award and Test player of the year.
Pietersen and Sri Lankan spin wiz Muttiah Muralitharan are the other Test contenders.
Australians, understandably, dominate the one-day nominations with Ponting joined by opening batsman Matthew Hayden and retired pace bowler Glenn McGrath.
"I think it's a tremendous endorsement of what great years they've had in international cricket," said Australian coach Tim Nielsen.
"I'm sure even if they don't win the awards it's been brilliant that they've been recognised.
"Hopefully the captain will pick up a personal prize, which is always nice, particularly at this level which is a worldwide award."
South Africa's Jacques Kallis, who was a controversial omission form the host nation's Twenty20 squad and is expected to snub the awards night, was the other one-day nominee.
Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardena is the only other nominee for the captain of the year with Ponting.
Australian tearaway quick Shaun Tait, who was forced to pull out of the Twenty20 tournament through injury, is short-listed for emerging player of the year award.
Lisa Sthalekar is one of three players short-listed for the women's game, while Simon Taufel is expected to again be crowned umpire of the year.