Second consecutive Cricketer of the Year award for AB de Villiers
AB de Villiers shone at the Cricket South Africa (CSA) annual award ceremony as he bagged five of the nine major awards, most notably his second successive Cricketer of the Year award. A former fast bowler was part of the judging panel with five other men that included an official, former players and a journalist.
CSA chief executive Haroon Lorgat heaped praises on AB and called him a true batting genius of cricket. He said AB is very special and also the best all-rounder in the world.
"He is a true batting genius, who holds the world records for the fastest 50, 100 and 150 in one-day internationals (ODIs). AB is just so special and must surely be the best all-round cricketer in the world."
The 31-year-old batsman last year reach new heights this year when he scored a century from just 31 balls playing against the Windies side. He was given a special award for his epic display of power hitting during his world record fastest century.
Here’s the video of AB’s fastest century:
Lorgat talked about AB's ranking in both ODIs and Tests and added that he has taken the game to a new level itself.
"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."
Former South African captain Shaun Pollock passed his congratulations to all the winners from his Twitter handle.
Here’s the full list of award winners:
Cricketer of the Year: AB de Villiers
Test Cricketer of the Year: Hashim Amla
ODI international Cricketer of the Year: De Villiers
T20 international Cricketer of the Year: Morne van Wyk
Cricketers' Cricketer of the Year: De Villiers
Supporters' Cricketer of the Year: De Villiers
Special award: De Villiers (fastest ODI century, against West Indies in Johannesburg)
Delivery of the Year: Dale Steyn (third Test against West Indies in Cape Town)
Women's Cricketer of the Year: Shabnim Ismail.