Faf du Plessis, Dane van Niekerk bag top honours at the CSA Awards for 2019
South African national team skippers for the men’s and women’s, Faf du Plessis and Dane van Niekerk, was named the men's and women’s cricketer of the year on Saturday. Veteran fast bowler Dale Steyn was honoured with the KFC Streetwise Award for becoming South Africa's leading wicket-taker in Tests.
Although du Plessis and his boys had a miserable World Cup, nothing can be taken away from his exemplary leadership skills and consistent performances with the bat. Van Niekerk, on the other hand, has had a wonderful year with the women’s side.Â
"Faf and Dane have both had very good years, both as contributors in their specific disciplines and also in the leadership qualities they bring to our two senior national sides. Just how much Dane means to our women's team became evident when she was ruled out of action for a considerable period of time through injury,” CSA chief executive Thabang Moroe was quoted saying by Cricbuzz.Â
Both captains took home the Player of the year award as well. Du Plessis added to his collection with the ODI cricketer of the year award, whereas wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock was named the Test player of the year. In the women's category, bowling all-rounder Marizanne Kapp won the ODI player of the year award. Moroe showered even more praise on du Plessis for leading the team to an away ODI series win in Australia.
"I must particularly highlight the Proteas first-ever away ODI bilateral series win in Australia. It is quite remarkable that over the past few years Faf has led the Proteas to home and away ODI series wins over Australia as well as our first-ever home Test series win against the same opponents," Moroe said.
Middle-order batsman David Miller and seamer Shabnim Ismail bagged the T20I cricketers of the year award. Rassie van der Dussen was rewarded for his good start in the international arena. He won the newcomer of the year award, whereas pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada was voted the Fans Player of the Year. Meanwhile, Steyn was honoured with the KFC Streetwise Award for becoming South Africa's leading wicket-taker in Test cricket.Â
"He has been a wonderful brand ambassador for both CSA and the Proteas for well over a decade and he has not only been a great leader of the Proteas attack but has also played a key role as mentor of the next generation," Moroe added.
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