Laura Wolvaardt, the captain of South Africa's women's cricket team, emerged as the star of the CSA Annual Awards, bagging five prestigious accolades, including the coveted Women's Player of the Year award. Her exceptional performance in the 2023-24 season earned her recognition as the leading run-scorer in both ODIs and T20Is for South Africa.
Wolvaardt's leadership qualities and popularity among her teammates and fans were evident as she also claimed the Players' Player of the Year and Fans' Player of the Year awards. Marco Jansen, the all-rounder, was named Men's Player of the Year for his impressive contributions, including 17 wickets at the ODI World Cup and notable performances in the Boxing Day Test against India.
The awards celebrated achievements from May 1, 2023, to April 30, 2024, excluding performances at the Men's T20 World Cup and Test and T20I series in West Indies, which will be considered at next year's event. The ceremony was held in September to accommodate the availability of nationally contracted players, who are required to attend the event.
David Bedingham, who made a strong debut against India and impressed in New Zealand, was recognized as the Test Player of the Year. Quinton de Kock, now retired from ODI cricket, was named ODI Player of the Year for his four centuries at the 2023 World Cup. Reeza Hendricks won the T20I Player of the Year award, being the only South African batter to score a half-century in the period under consideration.
Keshav Maharaj, the left-arm spinner who made a remarkable comeback from an Achilles rupture, was voted Players' Player of the Year. Marizanne Kapp's inswinger that dismissed Beth Mooney in South Africa's first ODI win over Australia was adjudged the Best Delivery of the Season. Masabata Klaas, a single mother who overcame adversity to pursue her cricket career, received the Makhaya Ntini Power of Cricket Award.
In the domestic arena, Nqabayomzi Peter, the legspinner who led the Lions to victory in the CSA T20 Cup, was named Men's Domestic Newcomer of the Season and T20 Challenge Player of the Season. Wiaan Mulder, the Lions' allrounder, was recognized as Four-Day Domestic Player of the Season. Mihlali Mpongwana, the Western Province allrounder, won the One-Day Domestic Player of the Season award.
In the women's domestic competition, Nonkululeko Mlaba was named Women's One-Day Player of the Season, while Tazmin Brits won the Women's T20 Player of the Season award for her outstanding run-scoring performance.
Tags: #Cricket, #CSAAwards, #LauraWolvaardt, #MarcoJansen, #WomenInCricket
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