PRETORIA: South Africa World Cup skipper AB de Villiers was called a “batting genius” Wednesday after winning five of the nine major awards at a Cricket South Africa (CSA) function.

“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 near Pretoria.

The 31-year-old batsman was voted Cricketer of the Year for the second successive season, a feat no other South African has achieved.

His other awards included ODI Cricketer of the Year, Cricketers’ Cricketer of the Year and Supporters’ Cricketer of the Year.

There was also an award for scoring the fastest ODI international century, against the West Indies at the Wanderers stadium in Johannesburg.

Hashim Amla was named Test Cricketer of the Year and Morne van Wyk Twenty20 international Cricketer of the Year.

Dale Steyn won the Delivery of the Year prize for a third-Test ball against the West Indies at Newlands stadium in Cape Town and Shabnim Ismail was chosen Women’s Cricketer of the Year.

“AB is just so special and must surely be the best all-round cricketer in the world,” said Lorgat.

“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 star fast bowler Makhaya Ntini was part of a six-man judging panel that included former players, an official, a statistician and a journalist.

Main 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.—AFP

Published in Dawn, June 5th, 2015

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