By Charles Randall

26 April 2012

The best cricket picture of 2011 has been won by an Indian photojournalist ahead of more than 330 entries in the annual competition sponsored by Wisden Cricketers' Almanack and the MCC.

SL Shanth Kumar, who works for Times of India, entered an intriguing photograph of children playing cricket on Marina Beach in Chennai, with reflections in water under gathering storm clouds that create aesthetic drama. He took a £500 cash prize and £500 Park Cameras voucher for Canon equipment.

This initiative from the MCC and Almanack adds further glory to cricket in the competition's second year. The standard of entry from amateurs and professionals alike was very high, and the judges faced a nigh impossible task to separate the best, because sporting narrative and artistic merit are not really comparable.

In my view, the judges were seduced by cliches for the inaugural 2010 competition, most notably pictures of appeals, which newspapers lazily publish so often for the apparent 'emotion' -- goal celebrations in football is another tired go-to with little narrative value -- though the 2010 winner did highlight a quirky V formation tableau of players making an appeal rather than the 'emotion'.

This time, thank goodness, there is not an appeal in sight. Kumar's winning camera shot is certainly impressive, and the action narrative offerings from Andrew Boyes (Action Images) and Morne De Klerk (Getty Images) seem worthy runners-up. Boyes's picture glimpes batsman Ravi Bopara through the stumps at Lord's on a dive, and De Klerk's unusual picture of every fielder crowded round the bat in the Sheffield Shield final at Adelaide is especially witty.

The award projects Kumar into international recognition. Reacting to the news from London, he said: "It was the most unforgettable moment in my life. I can still recollect how I was left speechless for more than a minute, after knowing that my photo was selected. An international award to me was like all my dreams have come true. I hope this is the best a photojournalist of my age can expect."

He explained the circumstances of the winning picture. "It was a cloudy afternoon in Chennai during the monsoon season," he said. "The thick clouds attracted me towards the Marina Beach – the second longest beach in the world – for a photograph. As I slowly rode my bike towards the beach, on the footpath I found young cricket enthusiasts who were busy playing the game despite the overcast conditions. They were fishermen’s children. This sight really impressed me and made me realise the importance and love for the game my country has."

The top three winning photographs are reproduced in the colour section of the 2012 Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack, and the 11 short-listed entries will be exhibited at Lord’s. The pictures can be viewed online at the MCC website www.lords.org/photooftheyear.

Winner

SL Shanth Kumar (Times of India) children playing cricket before a storm on Marina Beach in Chennai

Joint runners-up

Andrew Boyes (Action Images) Ravi Bopara diving for a run at Lord's

Morne De Klerk (Getty Images) fielders crowding the bat at Sheffield Shield final in Adelaide

Remaining short list

Clive Mason (Getty Images) boy playing cricket against a setting sun in Delhi

Matt Bright (freelance) Kevin Pietersen acknowledging MCC members walking through the Long Room at Lord’s

Mark Kolbe (Getty Images) David Warner being run out at Sydney

Matthew Lewis (Getty Images) Yuvraj Singh, of India, celebrating the winning runs in World Cup quarter-final against Australia at Ahmedabad.

Patrick Eagar (freelance) panoramic view of England winning the final Test in the Ashes Series at Sydney.

Rebecca Naden (Press Association) England scoreboard during World Cup warm-up match against Canada in Fatullah, Bangladesh.

Competition judges

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