WATCH: Mulder wins big at cricket awards

Cricket South Africa (CSA) hosted its eighth annual CSA Breakfast Awards where the stars of amateur cricket were honoured in a lavish ceremony at The Wanderers Club in Johannesburg.

South Africa U19 captain, Wiaan Mulder, of St Stithians College, walked away with the big awards of his age group by being awarded the Coca-Cola U19 Cricketer of the Year, Coca-Cola Schools T20 Cricketer of the Year and Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Cricket Week Player of the Tournament.

The 18-year-old, who has been described as a modern day all-rounder, scored a total of 428 runs and claimed 22 wickets under the year in review, both internationally and at domestic level. “This has definitely been a year of highs and lows for me,” said Mulder.

“From going to the World Cup [ICC U19] and not doing so well, to being named captain of the SA U19 team that recently went to Sri Lanka and now receiving all these awards – 2016 is a year I will most definitely never forget.

“I am extremely honoured and privileged to be recognised like this and would like to thank everyone who has contributed to making me the

player that I am today. To all my coaches and CSA for putting their trust in me, thank you. I can’t wait to get starting with the 2016/2017 season.”

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Coordinator of the year, Henry Williams, was recognised for his commitment to going the extra mile to grow the KFC Mini Cricket programme which is currently at a record high with 114 000 children.

Other winners at the awards included Momentum National Club Championships Player of the Tournament, Patrick Kruger; CSA Women’s Provincial Cricketer of the Year, Alicia Smith; Pitchvision Semi-professional Coach of the Year, Shane Burger; Pitchvision Hubs Coach of the Year, Keenan Bowers; Sunfoil Cup Three-Day Cricketer of the Year, Kyle Nipper; CSA Provincial One-Day Cricketer of the Year, Devon Conway; and CSA Provincial T20 Cricketer of the Year, Sarel Erwee.

CSA vice-president, Peter Cyster said, “I cannot stress enough how important our various amateur programmes are, right the way through from the KFC Mini-Cricket ranks to our senior provincial competitions.

“It was in the amateur ranks that our professional stars took their first tentative steps up the ladder to international stardom.”