A big night for Makhaya Ntini

The third annual Mutual & Federal South African Cricket Awards, held on Thursday night at a glittering function in Johannesburg, saw Makhaya Ntini walk away with the prestigious South African Cricketer of the Year Award, as well as the Castle Test Cricketer of the Year Award, both for the second consecutive year.

Ntini, nominated in five of the South African international categories, capped an outstanding season by scooping the premier award, which acknowledges the achievements of a player who has excelled consistently in all forms of the game and who is recognised as world class.

Long-serving fast-bowler Shaun Pollock proved that he is still a force to be reckoned with as he bagged the Standard Bank One-Day International Cricketer of the Year Award. Pollock was also honoured by his fellow players when he received the South African Players’ Player of the Year Award.

Johan van der Wath, who burst on to the international scene during the Australian tour, was named South African Newcomer of the Year, while last year’s recipient of this award, AB de Villiers, was recognised by the public and voted Supersport Fans’ Cricketer of the Year.

South African Under-19 captain Dean Elgar concluded his season by being named the Under-19 Coca-Cola Cricketer of the Year.

Women’s cricket teenage sensation Johmari Logtenberg was named Women’s Cricketer of the Year, while Chris Liebenberg and Kevin Venter were named Blind Cricketer and Deaf Cricketer of the Year respectively.

Liebenberg also received the coveted Khaya Majola Amateur Cricket Award, which recognises achievements both on and off the field.

The event saw 30 awards being presented to amateur and professional cricketers at all levels of the game, from under-13 through to the national team, as well as umpires, groundsmen, scorers and coaches.

The panel of judges was chaired by Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) general manager: professional cricket, Vince van der Bijl. Also on the panel were South Africa’s Player of the Century Graeme Pollock, former national selector Peter Bacela, former South African fast-bowler and CSA commercial and communications manager Steve Elworthy, and commentator/journalist Aslam Khota. — Sapa

WINNERS

SA Cricketer of the Year: Makhaya Ntini