JOHANNESBURG, May 10: Shaun Pollock can afford to smile after an indifferent World Cup as he has been named the Cricketer of the Year at the fourth Cricket South Africa awards ceremony, held in Johannesburg on Wednes-day.

Pollock beat Makhaya Ntini, Mark Boucher, Jacques Kallis, and Ashwell Prince to the award. Ntini, who won the honour last year, had to settle for the Fans’ Cricketer of the Year. Kallis was named the ODI Cricketer of the Year.

Kallis had an impressive World Cup, scoring 485 runs at an average of 80.83. Prince was rewarded for some fine performances against India and Pakistan last year, winning the Test Cricketer of the Year award. Boucher was selected the South African Players’ Player of the Year.

Paul Harris, the 28-year old left-arm spinner, got the Newcomer of the Year award. Harris had an impressive Boxing Day debut against India in 2006, with first innings figures of 4-129, including the wicket of Sachin Tendulkar.

He has so far played four Tests for South Africa, taking 11 wickets at 28.54 apiece.

—Agencies