The nominees for the annual Cricket South Africa (CSA) Awards have been officially revealed, setting the stage for an exciting ceremony on September 5 at Vodaworld in Midrand. Among the night’s most anticipated honors is the Women’s Player of the Year award, where Nadine de Klerk, Marizanne Kapp, Masabata Klaas, and Laura Wolvaardt are vying for recognition based on their stellar performances throughout the 2023-2024 season.
This year’s event, themed The Art of Cricket, draws inspiration from the Be Part Of It campaign, which underscores the passion and artistry that have kept the sport thriving in South Africa during the 2023-2024 season. The awards will pay tribute to the nation’s top female cricketers across various categories, celebrating the remarkable talent and unwavering dedication they have displayed.
Now, let’s delve into the achievements of the nominees:
Marizanne Kapp
Kapp, regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders in the history of the game, is a formidable contender for this award. Over the course of 13 T20Is, she amassed 177 runs and took 11 wickets, including an impressive 9 wickets during the ICC T20 World Cup hosted in South Africa. Her standout performance had come in the final, where she dismissed Australian stalwarts Healy and Lanning, further cementing her reputation. Additionally, Kapp excelled in 8 ODIs, scoring 300 runs and taking 6 wickets, highlighted by a century against Pakistan. Earlier this year, she had made up her mind to call time on her international career, but after a conversation with the director of cricket, she decided to stay on, and now believes she is at the peak of her career.
Laura Wolvaardt
After Sune Luus stepped down as captain ahead of the Pakistan tour in 2023, Wolvaardt emerged as the natural choice to lead the team. The added responsibility of captaincy seems to have elevated her game, as she had an exceptional year. In 16 T20I innings, Wolvaardt scored 586 runs at an impressive average of 45.07, with half-centuries against cricketing giants like Australia, England, and New Zealand. Her performance in ODIs was equally outstanding, scoring 413 runs in 9 matches, including centuries against Bangladesh and New Zealand, maintaining an average of 51.62. Wolvaardt’s leadership has clearly brought out the best in her.
Masabata Klaas
Klaas, the seasoned right-arm pacer who debuted for South Africa back in 2010, continued to deliver in 2023 with remarkable consistency. Across all formats, she took 22 wickets in as many matches, demonstrating her skill and precision. In 9 ODIs, Klaas claimed 10 wickets, with a standout performance of 3 for 14 against Pakistan. Her T20I record was equally impressive, with 12 wickets in 13 matches, highlighted by a 4 for 21 against the West Indies, which included the key dismissal of Hayley Matthews. Klaas remains a vital component of South Africa’s bowling attack.
Nadine de Klerk
At just 24 years old, de Klerk has already established herself as a top all-rounder on the international stage. Her 2023 season was nothing short of remarkable, with 144 runs and 7 wickets in 17 T20Is, including a match-winning 3 for 24 against New Zealand. Her ODI performances were even more impressive, scoring 181 runs and taking 16 wickets in 9 matches, with a best of 4 for 32 against Pakistan. De Klerk’s ability to contribute with both bat and ball makes her a strong candidate for the Women’s Player of the Year award.
All four nominees have had outstanding seasons, making it difficult to predict who will walk away with the award. As CSA CEO Pholetsi Moseki aptly put it, “The CSA Awards are a highlight of our cricketing calendar. They provide us with a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the immense talent and dedication of our players, both at the domestic and international levels.”
He further added, “This year’s theme, The Art of Cricket, perfectly encapsulates the beauty and passion that our players and administrators bring to the game, and we look forward to honoring them on September 5.”
The CSA Awards are set to be a night of celebration, recognizing the brilliance of South Africa’s cricketing talent and the artistry they bring to the game.