Image courtesy of: Zimbio

South Africa pace bowler Kagiso Rabada dominated at this year’s Cricket South Africa’s awards ceremony in Sandton as he claimed six prizes, including Cricketer of the Year, Test Cricketer of the Year, ODI Cricketer of the Year, Players’ Player of the Year, Fans’ Player of the Year and Delivery of the Year.

Rabada made history in 2016 as he became the first South African player to win six trophies at the awards function.

The 23-year-old was the second-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket last year as he took 57 wickets at an average of 20.28. Australia spinner Nathan Lyon was at the summit of the standings with 63 wickets at an average of 23.55.

In 2018, however, Rabada sits firmly at the top of the wicket-takers list as he has picked up 38 wickets at an average of 19.65.

Rabada earned the Players’ Player of the Year and Fans’ Player of the Year awards after receiving support from his teammates and the fans, while the Delivery of the Year prize was for the ball he bowled to send Australia opener David Warner’s stumps cartwheeling during the third Test in Cape Town in March.

AB de Villiers, who recently retired from international cricket, won the T20 International Cricketer of the Year.

As for batsman David Miller, he took home the Always Original Award for scoring the fastest-ever Twenty20 International century against Bangladesh in Potchefstroom in October 2017.

Opening batsman Aiden Markram secured the International Newcomer of the Year as he scored 1,000 runs in his debut Test season at an average of 55.55.

Meanwhile, Dane van Niekerk was named the Women’s Cricketer of the Year, while Laura Wolvaardt claimed the ODI Cricketer of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year award.

Chloe Tryon picked up the T20 Cricketer of the Year prize.

“Simply outstanding! What a year both Kagiso and Dane have had,” CSA’s acting CEO Thabang Moroe was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo. “They have both shown the maturity of seasoned campaigners with performances that have really counted when needed most, often blowing away the opposition in the process.

“It is encouraging that for the second time in a row our premier awards have gone to our young stars who are shining with distinction alongside our world-class senior players (Rabada is 23 and Van Niekerk 25).

“I must particularly highlight the Proteas first ever home Test Series win over Australia and the way our women gripped the imagination of the country as they came so close to their first ever ICC Final.”

FULL LIST OF WINNERS:

Cricketer of the Year: Kagiso Rabada

Test Cricketer of the Year: Kagiso Rabada

ODI Cricketer of the Year: Kagiso Rabada

T20 International Cricketer of the Year: AB de Villiers

Players’ Player of the Year: Kagiso Rabada

Fans’ Player of the Year: Kagiso Rabada

Always Original Award: David Miller

Delivery of the Year: Kagiso Rabada

International Newcomer of the Year: Aiden Markram

Women’s Cricketer of the Year: Dane van Niekerk

Women’s Players’ Player of the Year: Laura Wolvaardt

Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year: Laura Wolvaardt

Women’s T20 Cricketer of the Year: Chloe Tryon