South African batsman Martin van Jaarsveld was voted the Professional Cricketers’ Association player of the year on Monday after a season of outstanding performances for Kent in the United Kingdom.
Van Jaarsveld saw off competition from Marcus Trescothick, Steve Harmison and Ravi Bopara to receive the award at a ceremony in London.
It is the second year in succession a veteran from overseas has picked up the Professional Cricketers’ Association top prize, voted for by the players themselves, following West Indian bowler Ottis Gibson in 2007.
Despite Kent being relegated from the top flight of the County Championship for the first time since it was split into two divisions, Van Jaarsveld has enjoyed a prolific season, hitting 1 150 runs, and also thriving in the other domestic competitions.
The 34-year-old also dominated the Friends Provident Trophy (FPT) with an awesome 660 runs, including four hundreds, in just nine visits to the crease.
Essex’s Bopara, left out of England’s Test tour of India, added the NatWest PCA young player of the year award to the Young Cricketer of the Year gong he picked up earlier this month.
Bopara hit an unbeaten 201 in an FPT contest against Leicestershire at Grace Road and continues to excel with bat and ball at county level. — Sapa-AFP