Strauss up for BBC Sports Personality

Andrew Strauss, England's Ashes-winning captain, is one of 10 names on the shortlist for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year

England captain Andrew Strauss is one of 10 names on the shortlist for the BBC’s prestigious Sports Personality of the Year award.

The 32-year-old opening batsman has enjoyed a remarkable year, helping to mastermind the summer's Ashes triumph.

Strauss was awarded player of the series after topping the run charts with 474 at an average of 52, including the highest score of 161 at Lord’s.

The Middlesex left-hander was appointed England captain in January and, along with team director Andy Flower, has rejuvenated the side’s fortunes.

Strauss has scored 1,071 Test runs at an average of 56 in 2009 and guided England to four wins and six draws in 12 Tests, including the memorable victory at the Brit Oval which saw England regain the Ashes.

He has also seen England improve their one-day international form, guiding the team to series wins home and away against West Indies and reaching the semi-finals of the ICC Champions Trophy.

The side are currently on course for another series triumph in South Africa, as England take a 2-1 lead into the final ODI in Durban on Friday.

Strauss, who no longer plays Twenty20 international cricket, has also aided his team's cause with 647 ODI runs at an average of 32 in 2009.

Strauss narrowly missed out to Australia all-rounder Mitchell Johnson in the race for ICC cricketer of the year.

The other contenders for the BBC's top award are Formula One world champion Jenson Button, cyclist Mark Cavendish, diving starlet Tom Daley, world championship-winning heptathlete Jessica Ennis, Manchester United’s veteran winger Ryan Giggs, heavyweight boxer David Haye, triple jumper Phillips Idowu, tennis star Andy Murray and gymnast Beth Tweddle.

Andrew Flintoff was the last cricketer to win the award in 2005 - the all-rounder’s Ashes heroics were a major factor that year as well.

Sir Ian Botham (1981), David Steele (1975) and Jim Laker (1956) are the other cricketers to have won the award.

The 56th Sports Personality of the Year show will take place on Sunday December 13 at Sheffield Arena in front of a crowd of 11,000. It will be shown live on BBC One from 7-9pm.