LONDON. Apr 3: Fast bowler Glenn McGrath, batsman Matthew Elliott and all rounder Stuart Law have been named among Wisden's five cricketers-of-the-year. reflecting Australian domination of world cricket during 1997, reports AP.

The 1998 almanack, regarded as the game’s most authoritative reference book, also names two English players — left-handed batsman Graham Thorpe and Matthew Maynard, who guided Glamorgan to their first county championship triumph since 1969.

Last year there wasn't a single English or Australian player listed.

In his editorial. Wisden editor Matthew Engel urges the International Cricket Council to investigate allegations of match-fixing and gambling, some of them aimed at Pakistan star Salim Malik.

Three years ago. Australian spinners Tim May and Shane Warne alleged that Malik, who was then Pakistan's captain, had offered them a bribe to throw a Test.

Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Rashid Latif has also made allegations about Malik, claiming he would run out his teammates in an attempt to influence the result of games. Latif also suggested that bookmakers attempted to fix the final one-day international against England at Trent Bridge in 1996.

Although the allegations have been denied and none of them proved. Engel says the ICC should investigate them to ensure the game isn't becoming corrupt.

"Nobody now doubts that this gambling takes place, for large sums, and that cricketers are involved in the process." Engel writes.

"This does not necessarily mean that players have deliberately thrown matches. It is possible that the substantial number who have made allegations are making mischief or a mistake. Possible but increasingly implausible."