The nominees for the annual Cricket South Africa Awards, set to take place on 5 September at Vodaworld in Midrand, have been unveiled. The nominees for the Women’s One Day International Player of the Year award are Marizanne Kapp, Nadine de Klerk, Tazmin Brits, Ayabonga Khaka, and Laura Wolvaardt, with the award based on performances from the 2023-24 season.
This year’s celebration, themed ‘The Art of Cricket,’ is inspired by the campaign ‘Be Part Of It,’ which highlights the passion and artistry that have kept cricket vibrant in the hearts of millions of South Africans during the 2023-2024 season. The awards will honour South Africa’s top female cricketers across several categories, recognising the exceptional talent and dedication displayed throughout the season. On that note, let’s talk about the nominees:
Marizanne Kapp
One of the best all-rounders to ever play the sport, Kapp is undoubtedly a serious contender for the award. She played 8 ODIs, scoring 300 runs and taking 6 wickets, with a century coming against Pakistan. It was surprising for everyone when she was close to announcing her retirement in early 2024. “I did retire earlier this year – or asked to retire – and luckily I didn’t,” Kapp told ESPNcricinfo. “I spoke to the director of cricket, and he actually asked me to just hang on, think it through, [and] don’t make decisions too quickly, and I’m glad that I didn’t go through with it because I feel like I’m at the peak of my career.”
Tazmin Brits
Tazmin Brits’ journey from a promising javelin thrower to a cricketing star is a tale of resilience. She captured global attention by winning gold at the 2007 World Youth Championships in Ostrava, Czechia, but a car accident ended her athletic career. Undeterred, Tazmin switched to cricket, and 2023 turned out to be her breakout year. She scored 299 runs from just 9 innings, with a best of 118 against Bangladesh, showcasing her ability to play long innings.
Laura Wolvaardt
After Sune Luus stepped down as captain ahead of the Pakistan tour in 2023, there was no doubt that Wolvaardt was the favourite to lead, and she became the next captain. Captaincy brought responsibility, and Wolvaardt had a tremendous year. Her 9 outings in the 2023 season scoring 413 runs, with four centuries, and her best score of 184* against Sri Lanka at Potchefstroom is the highest by any South African batter in an ODI innings.
Nadine de Klerk
The 24-year-old all-rounder from Pretoria had a tremendous outing in 2023. In her 9 innings, she scored 189 runs with a best of 58*, and took 16 prized scalps, with her best bowling figures of 3 for 10 coming against Bangladesh.
Ayabonga Khaka
With 10 wickets from 10 matches, including a best bowling figure of 3 for 15 against Bangladesh on 23rd December 2023, the 32-year-old right-arm speedster had a solid outing. She also took another three-wicket haul, 3 for 28 against Sri Lanka.
CSA CEO Pholetsi Moseki expressed enthusiasm for the CSA Awards, emphasizing their significance in celebrating the talent and dedication of players at both domestic and international levels. He highlighted that the introduction of new categories for women’s domestic cricket marks a significant step forward in promoting and professionalizing the women’s game, allowing for the recognition of outstanding female cricketers who inspire future generations.
Moseki concluded that this year’s theme, “The Art of Cricket,” reflects the beauty and passion that players and administrators bring to the sport, and he looks forward to honoring them on September 5.
