Bravo helps cricket break new ground

Cricket has made its first-ever appearance at ESPN's annual awards, the ESPYS, after an acrobatic catch by West Indies allrounder Dwayne Bravo at the IPL was nominated as a 'Best Play'.

Bravo was recognised for a leaping, one-handed take on the boundary to dismiss Shane Watson in Chennai, a feat that also earned him the IPL's 'catch of the season' award. He sprinted to his left from long-on to get in line with what seemed a certain six from Watson, before jumping and arching back to pluck the ball over his head, and then kept his balance to avoid the rope.

"I admit I am still shocked on many levels," Bravo said. "Firstly, I am shocked and happy that cricket is being recognised by the American market, and on their biggest and most prestigious night in sport. Secondly, I am in a category with athletes that I look up to and admire, titans of their sports, and I am humbled."

Bravo is also the first ESPYS nominee from Trinidad & Tobago. "I am proud to represent my country and value every opportunity to showcase the talent that exists here," he said. "Of course I would love to win, so I take this opportunity to ask my fans around the world to vote, not just for me but for our beloved cricket."

Bravo's effort was among a shortlist of 16 plays from a variety of sports. Other nominees include Lionel Messi's mesmerising goal against Athletic Bilbao in May, plays from NFL, NBA, lacrosse and more. The winner will be determined by a public vote, and the contest follows a bracket format. Bravo's immediate challenger is a last-minute Hail Mary pass in a college-football game.

The ESPYS, which were first awarded in 1993, is an annual event to commemorate the past year in sports, recognising both sport-specific achievements, such as Best NBA Player, and best-in-sport winners, such as Best Team or Best Female Athlete, that pit nominees from different sports against each other. There is no specific category for cricket, and Bravo's nomination is the first time the game has featured at the ESPYS. The 2015 ESPYs will be awarded on July 15.