October 09 Wednesday 2002
South African cricketers of the year announced

JOHANNESBURG: Five first-time 'Cricketers of the Year' were named at the launch of the Mutual & Federal South African Cricket Annual in Sandton on Monday night.

Paul Adams, Steve Elworthy, Andrew Hall, Graeme Smith and Martin van Jaarsveld were named as outstanding players of the 2001-02. The five were chosen for their spirited and impressive performances in a year during which the South African team suffered heavy defeats at home and away against world champions Australia.

Adams, Hall and Smith were chosen specifically because they sparked a turnaround against the Australians after coming into the national team midway through the home series. Elworthy and Van Jaarsveld owed their selection mainly owing to their exceptional performances for Northerns in domestic cricket, although Elworthy, who toured Australia with the Proteas, was also recognised for consistent play over a long career.

Editor Colin Bryden said making the choice proved another difficult task. Some of the country's big-name players had achieved some excellent results during the season, but had then been unable to perform to their own highest standards against Australia.

For the first time, the awards were restricted to South Africa-based players.

Bryden said an Australian star such as Adam Gilchrist had made a huge impact but the nature of modern tours is such that teams seldom are in South Africa for a major part of the season.