Head, who has stood out with his aggressive counter-attacking batting in both Test and T20 formats, is on a four-man shortlist alongside England batters Joe Root and Harry Brook, and India pacer Jasprit Bumrah.
The top-ranked Men's T20 international batter, Head will be aiming to go one better than his nomination in the same category last year, after hitting almost 1,400 runs across all formats with trademark flair.
Bumrah has been superb with his seam bowling this year and produced another near unplayable spell when he took 5-57 in the fourth Test against Australia, which finished with a dramatic victory for the Australians.
Australia's Annabel Sutherland has made the ICC shortlist after a string of dazzling performances. (AP PHOTO)
Sutherland is up against South Africa batter Laura Wolvaardt, Sri Lanka's all-formats captain Chamari Athapaththu and fellow all-rounder Melie Kerr, of New Zealand.
Sutherland, 23, impressed during a breakthrough year, hitting the fastest ever double-century in women's Tests against South Africa in February and earning player of the series accolades in notable victories over India and New Zealand at the latter end of the year.
The winners will be announced at the end of January.
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