De Villiers became the first player to win back-to-back Cricketer of the Year awards

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

South Africa captain AB de Villiers dominated the Cricket South Africa (CSA) awards ceremony as he won five out of the nine major awards that were up for grabs.

De Villiers was named Cricketer of the Year for the second successive season, which is a feat no other South African player has ever achieved.

The 31-year-old also scooped up the ODI Cricketer of the Year, Cricketers’ Cricketer of the Year and Supporters’ Cricketer of the Year award.

In addition to all that, he was also given an award for scoring the fastest ODI century in history against the West Indies in Johannesburg on January 18.

“He is a true batting genius, who holds the world records for the fastest 50, 100 and 150 in one-day internationals (ODIs),” CSA chief executive Haroon Lorgat told the audience at the awards ceremony, which was held near Pretoria. “AB is just so special and must surely be the best all-round cricketer in the world.

“His performances are sheer class and his rankings, No 2 in Tests and No 1 in ODIs, tell only part of an amazing story.

“He has always been an entertainer and a trend-setter while, at the same time, possessing a unique ability to dig really deep when it matters.

“AB has modestly taken limited-overs batting to a new level, and has done it with a style and panache that is beyond the reach of most.”

Meanwhile, Proteas opener Hashim Amla was named Test Cricketer of the Year, while Morne van Wyk picked up the Twenty20 International Cricketer of the Year award.

Pace bowler Dale Steyn received the Delivery of the Year award, Rilee Rossouw was named South Africa’s Newcomer of the Year and Shabnim Ismail picked up the Women’s Cricketer of the Year award.