Rediff.com takes a look at some personalities who are likely to win the prize this year.
Anderson is the first South African in New York's last 16 since Wayne Ferreira in 2002.
Leading a scandal-hit team dismissed as Australia's worst in 30 years, captain Tim Paine's pledge to win back hearts and minds seemed a fanciful, if noble, aspiration in the leadup to the Test series against Pakistan.